France criticises Israeli entry ban on presidential contender Melenchon

France has condemned Israel's decision to deny entry to Jean-Luc Melenchon, the left-wing political leader and presidential contender. The ban, announced on Thursday, cited his criticism of Israel's occupation and genocide in Gaza. It comes as relations between the two countries have deteriorated following France's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the ban a "demagogic decision" by Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which he accused of repeatedly violating international law. Barrot is a political opponent of Melenchon and his La France Insoumise party, known as LFI. Alongside his condemnation of Israel, he argued that the restriction benefited those, including LFI, whom he accused of exploiting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Melenchon of spreading "blood libels" against Israel. He specifically pointed to the French politician's pledge last week to send ships to accompany aid flotillas bound for Gaza if he wins the presidency. Melenchon had presented the proposal as part of a commitment to take direct action in support of Palestinians.

Responding on X, Melenchon expressed regret that the Israeli government had singled him out in this way. He also said the restriction would prevent a visit he had not planned to make: "I have been banned from entering a territory I had no intention of visiting."

The Israeli decision followed France's refusal a week earlier to admit Yossi Dagan, an Israeli settler who heads the Samaria Regional Council in the northern occupied West Bank. France had strongly backed Israel since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza in October 2023. Its recognition of the State of Palestine in September 2025 angered Israel, and bilateral relations have worsened since then.

France's next presidential election is scheduled for 2027. The far-right National Rally could capture the presidency for the first time, with its leader Marine Le Pen ahead in opinion polls and Melenchon her closest rival.

In his statements last week, Melenchon pledged action against both the genocide in Gaza and the gradual annexation of the West Bank. He said French ships would escort civilian flotillas if necessary, also rejecting gradual annexation in southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights. He further promised concrete measures to mobilise against atrocities extending to besieged Christian communities facing persecution in Palestine and Lebanon.