The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) strongly condemns the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to revoke the entry visas of the French local government units’ delegation, which included around fifty representatives — mayors, municipal council members, and officials from decentralized cooperation institutions. The delegation was scheduled to visit Palestine, as part of an initiative supported by Cités Unies France, and in partnership with APLA, marking thirty years of franco-palestinian decentralized cooperation

This decision constitutes a blatant violation of international cooperation principles and a clear attempt to isolate the Palestinian people from their allies and partners around the world, at a time when they are enduring grave violations and systematic attacks against their existence and legitimate rights. It also represents a direct assault on humanitarian and municipal solidarity efforts and an attempt to silence free voices that stand in support of the Palestinian right to freedom and independence.

The visit was intended to express practical solidarity with Palestinian local government units and to renew the commitment to a partnership that has united Palestinian and French municipalities over three decades of joint work against injustice and in support of community resilience. Targeting this delegation is an attack on the very spirit of decentralized cooperation and an effort to sever Palestine’s international ties through political pressure and restrictions.

APLA calls on all partners and international bodies to stand against efforts to silence and isolate Palestine and to continue supporting the Palestinian people and local government units, who remain at the forefront of defending rights, principles, and shared human values.