Israel cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and officials days before their planned Sunday visit to Israel and Palestinian territories, the group said. The move comes days after Israel barred two UK Labour MPs from entering the country and amid tensions after Macron said France would soon recognise a Palestinian state, pressuring Netanyahu over Gaza conditions.

The delegation included National Assembly deputies Francois Ruffin, Alexis Corbière and Julie Ozenne from the Ecologist party, Communist deputy Soumya Bourouaha and Communist senator Marianne Margate.

The other members were left-wing town mayors and local lawmakers.

The statement denounced the ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties”.