Israel has canceled entry visas for 27 left-wing French lawmakers and officials just two days before their planned visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Axar.az, citing Times of Israel, reports that the move follows similar recent actions against British lawmakers and comes amid growing diplomatic tensions, particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested France may soon recognize a Palestinian state.

The Israeli Interior Ministry cited a law allowing the denial of entry to individuals who may act against the state.

The French delegation—made up of members of the Ecologist and Communist parties, including several National Assembly deputies and local officials—called the visa cancellation “collective punishment” and demanded French government intervention.

The group had been invited by the French Consulate for a five-day trip aimed at promoting international cooperation and peace.

They condemned the decision as a serious diplomatic rupture, warning it should not go without consequences.

The incident adds to mounting strain between Israel and European nations critical of its actions in Gaza, particularly those voicing support for Palestinian statehood.