Israel Bars French Far-Left Leaders Melenchon and Panot Over Alleged Incitement
Israel's foreign minister banned Jean-Luc Melenchon and Mathilde Panot from entering the country in what an official described as retaliation for France denying entry to a West Bank settler leader.
By Khalid Khalil ·
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Thursday barred Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of France's hard-left La France Insoumise party, and Mathilde Panot, the party's parliamentary group chair, from entering Israel, accusing them of anti-Israel incitement.
In a statement, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two politicians had spread "blood libels" against Israel. The statement also pointed out that Melenchon had called for French vessels to escort unauthorized flotillas seeking to reach Gaza.
"Israel will respond firmly to those who seek to harm it," the ministry said, adding that the country would not allow individuals who "incite against" Israeli citizens to cross its borders.
An official familiar with the decision said the ban came in retaliation for France's recent refusal to admit Yossi Dagan, a prominent West Bank settler leader. Dagan, who heads the Samaria Regional Council, said on Wednesday that he was denied entry to France last week while attempting to travel to Paris for a series of meetings.
Responding to the Israeli move, Melenchon said he had never sought to enter the country in the first place. "I regret that the Israeli government is pursuing me like this," he told France Info radio.
"The ambassador here in Paris said that he would like anyone other than me elected. Well, so be it," Melenchon added, referring to Israel's envoy to France. He said he was not "disappointed" by the order, explaining: "They're banning me from entering territory I didn't ask to enter."
Melenchon is a candidate in France's 2027 presidential election. He has faced repeated accusations of antisemitism, including claims that he invoked antisemitic stereotypes and downplayed the threat posed by antisemitism.
He has also refused to designate Hamas a terrorist organization, even after the group's onslaught in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's ambassador to France has reportedly maintained contacts with other French political parties while excluding La France Insoumise.
