France criticises 'demagogic' move by Israel to ban hard-left leader Melenchon
France has criticized Israel's decision to ban French hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon and his party colleague Mathilde Panot from entering the country. Israel cited the politicians' extreme anti-Israel stances and support for Gaza flotillas as the reason for the travel ban.
Why it matters
The diplomatic friction highlights the ongoing tensions between European political figures and the Israeli government regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
FILE PHOTO: Nationwide strike and protests in France — Abdul Saboor PARIS, Nov 13 (Reuters) - France has criticised as "demagogic" a decision by Israel to ban French hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchonand another leading figure in his France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) party from entering the country.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it would bar Melenchon and Mathilde Panot, the party’s parliamentary group chair, over "the extreme anti-Israel stance of La France Insoumise party and the outrageous statements made by its leaders."
• "This demagogic decision, coming from a government that has repeatedly violated international law, plays into the hands of those who, like La France Insoumise, thrive on exploiting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X
• "France will continue to work tirelessly toward a two-state solution and the peaceful coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples,” he said
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