Israel has barred Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot from entering the country, citing alleged anti-Israel incitement and calls for French vessels to escort flotillas to Gaza.
Israel said on Thursday it would ban French far-left presidential contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon from entering the country after he said that if elected, French vessels would accompany activists hoping to force aid into Gaza. The Israeli government also refused entry to Mathilde Panot, the parliamentary group chair of Mélenchon's party, La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI).
The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement: "Israel will respond firmly to those who seek to harm it and will not allow individuals who act against Israel and incite against its citizens to enter the country." A Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused both politicians of spreading "blood libels" against Israel, noting that Mélenchon has also called for French vessels to escort unauthorized flotillas to Gaza.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has barred both politicians from entering Israel, citing their alleged "anti-Israel incitement."
Mélenchon, leader of LFI and a candidate in France's 2027 presidential election, said in a speech on Saturday that if he were elected, France would "act directly in support of the Palestinians" in both Gaza and the West Bank. He added: "French ships, like those of Italy and Spain, will escort, if necessary, the flotillas of citizens mobilised to affirm people's rights."
The Times of Israel reports that Mélenchon has faced accusations of antisemitism, including invoking antisemitic stereotypes and downplaying the threat of antisemitism. He has also refused to designate Hamas a terrorist organization, including following the October 7, 2023, attack. Israel's ambassador to France has reportedly kept contacts with other French political parties while excluding LFI.
The announcement comes a day after France confirmed it had refused entry to the head of a body representing settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Times of Israel notes that the decision comes a day after Israel condemned France's refusal to admit West Bank settler leader Yossi Dagan over his involvement in settlement expansions. It is unclear if any recent incident provoked the entry bans.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took over in 2007 and has even more strictly controlled entry points since Hamas carried out the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack against Israel, triggering a massive military campaign. A series of flotillas have sought to break through the Israeli siege. Some activists from one flotilla intercepted earlier this year alleged that Israeli authorities physically or sexually abused them in custody, charges denied by the Israeli government.
Israel earlier banned entry to a number of British left-wing lawmakers, including Jeremy Corbyn, another outspoken critic, after London imposed sanctions on products from settlements.
The bans mark an escalation in diplomatic tensions between Israel and France over Gaza policy and settlement issues, with each country refusing entry to political figures linked to the other side's disputes.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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