France slams Israel’s ‘demagogic’ ban on left-wing leader Melenchon

What the report says

France has condemned Israel’s decision to bar French far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon from entering the country, calling it a “demagogic” move. The dispute, reported by Al Jazeera on Thursday and published Friday, centers on Melenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party, and Mathilde Panot, the party’s parliamentary group chair, both of whom Israel said it would deny entry over what it described as an extreme anti-Israel stance and inflammatory remarks.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the Israeli action was unhelpful and accused the government of undermining international law. France said it would keep supporting a two-state solution and peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel, for its part, said it would not admit people it believes are acting against the country or inciting against its citizens.

The row follows remarks by Melenchon about sending French ships to escort aid flotillas to Gaza if he wins France’s 2027 presidential election. Israel has previously intercepted such aid missions and detained activists. The exchange also came shortly after France blocked entry to Israeli settler Yossi Dagan, whom French authorities linked to settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, an action that drew criticism from Israeli officials. The report adds that France has recently restricted other Israeli figures, including ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.