Macron Reproaches Israeli Police Officers For Entering Church In Jerusalem With Him

TEL AVIV (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2020) French President Emmanuel Macron reproached on Wednesday the Israeli police officers for pushing past French security officers and trying to enter the Church of Saint Anne, which is located in Old City of Jerusalem and considered to be French territory where Israeli security forces have no jurisdiction.

Earlier in the day, Macron arrived in Israel for his first official visit to the country since becoming president almost two years ago. The president is set to hold talks with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials and attend the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

"Everyone knows the rules. I do not like what you [Israeli police officers] did in front of me. Go outside, please. I am sorry but we know the rules. Nobody has to provoke nobody. We keep calm ... You do a great job in the city, I do appreciate ... Please, respect the rules how they are for centuries. They will not change with me, I tell you," Macron said, according to video footage posted on Twitter.

According to the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, following the incident, the Israeli police said in a statement that his team apologized and Macron shook the hands of the Israeli officers before continuing his tour of the Old City.

A similar case took place in 1996 when then-French President Jacques Chirac reproached Israeli security officers for following him during his visit to the Muslim Quarter in Old City of Jerusalem.