Jerusalem:Israel has decided to bar leaders of France's left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party from entering the country. This decision was reported by the Ynet website, citing the Foreign Ministry.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the ministry stated that the decision was made due to the "virulent anti-Israel positions of the France Unbowed party" and "outrageous statements" by party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon and parliamentary faction chair Mathilde Panot. The ministry accused the politicians of making "blood libels against Israel," particularly highlighting Melenchon's call for French ships to escort flotillas attempting to reach the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister and Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar were responsible for the decision to prevent Melenchon and Panot's entry into Israel. In response, Melenchon stated in an interview with French public broadcaster franceinfo that he was not disappointed as he had never sought to visit Israel. Panot also commented on the decision via a post on the social media platform X, confirming the entry ban and calling on Israeli authorities to "Free Palestine!"
The entry ban coincides with a decision by French authorities to deny entry to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council in the northern occupied West Bank. Israeli media reported that French authorities cited his involvement in settlement expansion as the reason for the ban, though this has not been confirmed by Paris.
Melenchon has made several statements regarding Israeli policies, including a pledge that if elected president in 2027, he would have French ships escort flotillas to Gaza "if necessary" and oppose the annexation of various territories by Israel. Additionally, Melenchon has promised to enforce the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been wanted since 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel's war on Gaza. LFI lawmakers have consistently criticized Israeli policies and have supported Gaza-bound aid flotillas.