Israel bans leftist leader Mélenchon, France sharply criticises the move
Israel has banned Mr. Jean-Luc Mélenchon from entering the country. He is a hardline French leftist and a presidential candidate who opposes Israel. Another top leader of his party, La France Insoumise (France Unbound), has also been banned. Paris has strongly criticised the decision of Tel Aviv and called it “demagogic”.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Thursday (12 November) that it banned Mr. Mélenchon and Ms. Mathilde Panot, the chair of the party’s parliamentary group. It gave two reasons. One is the party’s extreme stand against Israel. The other is the offensive remarks of its leaders.
French Foreign Minister Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot reacted to the move on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He said, “This demagogic decision comes from a government that has broken international law again and again. It will only strengthen those, like La France Insoumise, who want to profit from the Israel and Palestine conflict.”
Mr. Barrot added, “France will keep working tirelessly for a two state solution and for the peaceful coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused both Mr. Mélenchon and Ms. Panot of spreading false and hateful propaganda against Israel. Tel Aviv claimed that Mr. Mélenchon had especially called for French ships to protect illegal flotillas heading to Gaza.
In its statement, Israel said it will take strict action against anyone who wants to harm Israel or incite hatred against its citizens. Such people will not be allowed to enter the country.
Mr. Mélenchon spoke to the French radio station franceinfo about the ban. He said, “I have been banned from a land that I never applied to visit. It is truly sad to see how the Israeli government has gone after me.”
Last Saturday, at an election campaign event, Mr. Mélenchon said clearly that if he becomes President of France, French ships will escort the boats carrying activists who want to take aid to the Gaza Strip by force. Source: Reuters.
