Israel Bars French Radical Left Leaders Over 'Blood Libels'

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Thursday that he has decided to deny entry to Israel for Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the radical left-wing party "La France Insoumise" and a presidential candidate, as well as Mathilde Panot, the chairwoman of the party's faction in parliament. The Foreign Ministry stated that the decision was made "in light of the extreme anti-Israel policy and the scandalous statements by the party leaders." The ministry clarified that the party's extreme stance towards Israel, including statements by Mélenchon and Panot that it described as "blood libels," and Mélenchon's call to send French ships to escort flotillas to Gaza, were the basis for the decision.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that "Israel will respond forcefully against anyone who harms it and will not allow entry to elements that act and incite against it and its citizens." The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, responded by calling the decision "demagogic" and stated that it plays into the hands of those who, like "La France Insoumise," profit from cynical use of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He affirmed that France will continue to work tirelessly for a two-state solution and peaceful coexistence.

This move by Israel follows a diplomatic incident the previous day, when French immigration authorities prevented Yossi Dagan, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, from entering France for official meetings. A diplomatic source told i24NEWS that Israel's decision regarding the French politicians was a response to France's denial of entry to Dagan. Dagan reported that during his questioning in France, immigration officials cited his role in building settlements in the Shomron and his activities promoting a return to Gush Katif as reasons for the refusal. Dagan stated he was proud to be a Jew and a Zionist building the historic homeland.