Israeli envoy summoned at French cultural centre

PARIS: France’s foreign ministry said on Friday that it had summoned the Israeli government’s representative in Paris over what it called an "intrusion" by Israeli forces at its cultural centre in Occupied al-Quds.

In a rare move, police entered the building on Thursday to cancel an event with a women’s group which Israel claims is sponsored or financed by the Palestinian Authority. A diplomatic source said France’s consul general had immediately protested the police’s entry to the centre in east Occupied al-Quds, which Israel has annexed in a move not recognised by the international community.

"Such actions are a serious and unacceptable infringement to the functioning of our cultural network in Occupied al-Quds," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said the Israeli charge d’affaires had been called to meet with French officials for "necessary clarifications".

"France intends to maintain and develop its deep and longstanding relations with Palestinian civil society," it added. The French consulate could not confirm on Thursday if the women’s association was indeed financed by the Palestinian Authority -- Israel considers all PA activities in Occupied al-Quds illegal.

But Palestinians who were to participate in the event said the allegation was false. "It was an event related to Mother’s Day" and to sell crafts made by women from Occupied al-Quds, said one of the women who was to participate, declining to give her name. Similar events occur on a near-monthly basis, she said.