France bars settlement leader Yossi Dagan from entry

France’s Foreign Ministry confirmed an administrative entry ban on Yossi Dagan because of what it called his active role in implementing settlement policy in the West Bank. Dagan heads the Samaria Regional Council, which represents Israeli settlements in the northern occupied West Bank.

Dagan disclosed on 11 November that he had been refused entry the previous week. France had previously announced sanctions in February 2024 against 28 Israeli settlers accused of human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The French ministry said settlement activity is contrary to international law and undermines a two-state solution. Israeli settlements in the West Bank have been declared illegal under international law; Israel’s government disputes that position.

Refusal at the airport

The council said French immigration authorities stopped Dagan at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Ynetnews said. Dagan said an officer questioned him at passport control and showed him documents citing his council role, West Bank settlement building and advocacy for reestablishing settlements in Gaza’s former Gush Katif bloc. Israel evacuated its settlements in Gaza in 2005 as part of its unilateral disengagement from the territory.

Dagan had planned to meet elected officials in France and then travel to the Czech Republic. He was instead sent back to Israel and later traveled to Prague, where he met Czech government and parliamentary figures.

Dagan said he was undeterred and proud to build what he called the historic homeland of the Jewish people. He has also campaigned in Europe and the United States against sanctions and boycotts targeting West Bank settlement products, Al-Monitor said.

Dagan said an airport officer told him the ban had been decided in May or June. Council spokesperson Ester Aloush said Dagan had not been informed when it was issued. France has not disclosed its earlier sanctions list, leaving it unclear whether Dagan was among those sanctioned.

Israel’s response and French politicians' entry

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the measure against Dagan completely unacceptable and said it was based on political and ideological grounds. The ministry said it would demand an explanation from France and consider its next steps.

Israel also said it would refuse entry to French presidential contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot, who chairs the parliamentary group of his France Unbowed party. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it would not admit people it described as acting against Israel and inciting against its citizens.

The announcement followed Mélenchon’s pledge that, if elected, he would have French ships escort citizen flotillas seeking to bring aid into Gaza if necessary, France 24 and AFP said. They said Mélenchon had no apparent plans to visit Israel.

Earlier in 2026, France also barred Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Separately, a French parliamentary committee advanced a bill on 9 November to prohibit imports of settlement goods and services contributing to settlement construction. Further discussion is scheduled for 19 November.