Israel bans French left-wing leader Mélenchon from entering the country

Israel announced on Thursday, 12 November, that it will refuse entry to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a French far-left leader and presidential candidate. The decision was communicated by Israel's Foreign Ministry. It comes in response to Mélenchon's statement that, if elected, French ships would escort aid-mission vessels heading to the Gaza Strip.

The ministry's statement said: "Israel will respond firmly against those who seek to harm it, and will not allow entry to persons who act against Israel and incite against its citizens."

Ban extends to party colleague

Israel said it would also deny entry to Mathilde Panot, who chairs the parliamentary group of Mélenchon's party, La France Insoumise (LFI).

The day before, France confirmed that it had barred a leader of Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank from entering the country.

Mélenchon's statement

Mélenchon, a sharp critic of Israel, said on Saturday that if elected, France would "act directly in support of the Palestinians" in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He said: "French ships, like Italian and Spanish ships, will escort civilian flotillas mobilised to defend human rights if necessary."

The source notes that nothing is known of any plans by Mélenchon to visit Israel.

Earlier cases

Several aid-mission flotillas have tried to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip imposed by Israel. Israel has previously banned several British left-wing lawmakers from entering the country, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.