France Condemns Israel's Entry Ban on Melenchon and Panot as 'Demagogic'

France has condemned as "demagogic" Israel's move to ban French hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon and another senior figure in his France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) party from entering the country.

Israel's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it would bar Melenchon and Mathilde Panot, who chairs the party's parliamentary group, citing "the extreme anti-Israel stance of La France Insoumise party and the outrageous statements made by its leaders."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot hit back in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "This demagogic decision, coming from a government that has repeatedly violated international law, plays into the hands of those who, like La France Insoumise, thrive on exploiting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," he wrote.

Barrot added that France would keep pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict. "France will continue to work tirelessly toward a two-state solution and the peaceful coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples," he said.

In its statement on Thursday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused both Melenchon and Panot of making statements that spread "blood libels" against Israel. It also said Melenchon had called for French ships to escort illegal flotillas bound for Gaza.

"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," the ministry said.

Melenchon responded to the ban in an interview with Franceinfo radio, saying: "I am banned from entering a territory I did not ask to enter.. I regret that the Israeli government is pursuing me like this."

The dispute comes as Melenchon campaigns for the French presidency. In a campaign speech last Saturday, he made clear that if he were elected, French vessels would accompany activists seeking to force aid into the Gaza Strip.