Israel bars two French left-wing party leaders from entry
Israel has barred Jean-Luc Melenchon and Mathilde Panot, leaders of France's left-wing La France Insoumise, from entering the country, the Foreign Ministry said on 12 Nov 2026. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar signed the decision, citing the party's extreme anti-Israel stance and statements the ministry called blood libels. The move followed France's denial of entry to Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council in the northern West Bank, a day earlier. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the decision demagogic and said France will keep pursuing a two-state solution.
Key facts
- Melenchon called for French naval vessels to escort flotillas to Gaza at an LFI convention on 7 Nov 2026.
- Melenchon said that if elected, French vessels would escort activists to deliver aid to Gaza.
- Melenchon said he had never sought to visit Israel and regretted the Israeli government's actions.
- Panot confirmed on X that she and Melenchon had been barred from entering Israel.
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Why it matters
The ban adds to a dispute between Israel and France over entry rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What changed
First published from The Jerusalem Post, Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye, The Straits Times and Al-Monitor