Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot received an entry ban from Israel on Thursday, November 12, after the Israeli government accused the two French left-wing politicians of relaying blood libels and backing illegal maritime missions.
Gideon Sa’ar, the Israeli minister of foreign affairs and interior, signed the prohibition citing the virulent anti-Israel stances held by La France insoumise and the scandalous statements issued by its leadership, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Israeli authorities targeted the two lawmakers over specific actions and rhetoric directed at the state and its citizens. The government accused Mélenchon of urging French vessels to escort maritime shipments heading toward Gaza, which the ministry designated as illegal.
“Israel will strike firmly against those who seek to harm it and will not allow individuals acting against Israel and inciting hatred against its citizens to enter its territory,” the foreign ministry said in an official announcement shared on the platform X.
Both politicians dismissed the travel restriction on social media shortly after the announcement. Mélenchon questioned the premise of the prohibition in a public post.
“Israel forbids me from entering its territory? I didn’t ask to enter,”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon wrote on X.
Mélenchon added that if his party attains power, representatives will state what they must state regarding Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon, specifying that they intend to denounce the genocide in Gaza, the colonization in the West Bank, and the progressive annexation of southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon also spoke on franceinfo during the “Nos services publics” broadcast, stating that as he asked for nothing he could not be disappointed, and adding that he regrets the Israeli government pursues him in that manner.
“Banned from entering Israel, like Jean-Luc Mélenchon. I’m still looking for the bad news,”
Mathilde Panot wrote on X.
“Message to the Israeli authorities: Free Palestine!”
Mathilde Panot said.
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