Israel bans entry of French far-left leaders into the country
Israel accuses Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot of inciting hatred and bans the entry of the two French far-left leaders into the country.
TL;DR
- Israel has banned Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Mathilde Panot, French far-left leaders, from entering its territory.
- The Israeli government accused the politicians of inciting hatred and spreading false accusations against the country.
- Mélenchon and Panot have previously made statements critical of Israel's actions in Gaza, with Mélenchon referring to them as 'bloody calumnies'.
- Mélenchon proposed using French military ships to escort activist vessels to Gaza and accused Israel of committing 'genocide'.
- Mélenchon has faced criticism for refusing to classify Hamas as a terrorist group.
- Both banned politicians dismissed the entry ban, stating they had no plans to visit Israel.
- France's Foreign Minister described the ban as 'demagogic' but also criticized the French party for politically exploiting the conflict.