A group of foreign diplomats, including a French national, came under fire from Israeli soldiers on Wednesday, May 21, while visiting the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Like Rome and Lisbon, Paris immediately protested, summoning the Israeli ambassador to France on Thursday afternoon. "This is unacceptable," tweeted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, joining other European and United Nations condemnations. The incident, which caused no injuries, added a new source of strain to the already deteriorating relationship between France and Israel.

The convoy arrived at the eastern entrance of the Jenin camp. The diplomats were led by the local governor, a representative of the Palestinian Authority. The delegation included representatives from numerous European countries – France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany – as well as Canada, Russia, Turkey and several Arab nations – Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. It was there that the first shots rang out. "There was a first burst, then continuous gunfire. No warning shots. No warning. Just direct fire," recounted a diplomat present at the scene. "The Israeli soldiers were about 15 meters away. They could clearly see they were facing diplomats, in suits, accompanied by officials. And yet, they fired."

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