Israel has cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and other local officials two days before their trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, reports Al Jazeera.

The delegation included National Assembly deputies Francois Ruffin, Alexis Corbiere and Julie Ozenne from the Ecologist party; Communist deputy Soumya Bourouaha; Communist senator Marianne Margate, and several town mayors and local lawmakers.

Some 17 members of the group issued a statement condemning the Israeli move and calling on French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene.

They said they had been victims of “collective punishment” and described the visa ban as a “major rupture in diplomatic ties”.

“Deliberately preventing elected officials and parliamentarians from travelling cannot be without consequences,” the group said, demanding action by the government to ensure that Israel lets them into the country.