Israel bars Mélenchon and MP Panot from entering
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on AIP
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 12 November 2026 that it would bar Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France insoumise, and MP Mathilde Panot from entering Israel, accusing their party of taking “virulent anti-Israel” positions. Mélenchon said on franceinfo that he had not requested any authorisation and would not change his position on Israel, according to AIP.
Israel extended the entry ban on Thursday 12 November 2026 to Mathilde Panot, president of the La France insoumise (LFI) parliamentary group in the French National Assembly, in addition to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of LFI. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the measure by citing positions it considers hostile to Israel and statements by LFI leaders, according to the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP).
Israeli Foreign Minister Gidéon Saar accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon of calling for French ships to escort flotillas bound for Gaza and said Israel would not allow people whom it accuses of acting against its interests and inciting hatred towards its citizens to enter, reports AIP. Mélenchon said on franceinfo that he regretted the decision and assured that he would not change his positions on Israel if he became president of the French Republic. Mathilde Panot called on X for the liberation of Palestine.
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot described the measure as “demagogic” and said it played into the hands of actors who exploit the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to AIP. The decision comes after a rally held on Saturday near Paris, where Mélenchon again accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and criticised a gradual annexation of the occupied West Bank.
The new ban targeting Jean-Luc Mélenchon comes after France refused entry on 11 November to Yossi Dagan, an Israeli leader, followed by Israel’s request for explanations on 12 November after Dagan was turned back.
