He promised ships to Gaza. Israel bans entry to the leader of the French left

Israel announced that it will ban French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a left-wing politician, and his party's parliamentary group leader, Mathilde Panot, from entering the country.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement yesterday that this decision was taken upon Mélenchon's words that French ships would accompany activists aiming to deliver aid to Gaza if he is elected.

The ministry cited the "extremist anti-Israeli attitude" of the left-wing France Insoumise party and the "unacceptable statements" of the party leaders as the reason for the ban.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticized the entry ban decision taken by the Israeli government, describing it as "demagogic".

The day before Israel's move, the French administration confirmed that it did not allow the head of an institution representing settlements in the occupied West Bank to enter the country.

In the statement published by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, it was claimed that both Mélenchon and Panot used statements that spread "blood libels" against Israel.

The ministry also stated that Mélenchon called for French ships to accompany the illegal flotillas heading towards Gaza.

Arguing that Israel's attitude towards threats to its own citizens and the country is clear, the ministry made the following statements in its statement:

"Israel will respond decisively to those who try to harm it and will not allow those who act against Israel and incite against its citizens to enter the country."

Mélenchon, who has frequently criticized Israel and has no apparent plans to visit the country, gave his election campaign speech last Saturday.

In this speech, Mélenchon said that if elected president, France would "take direct action to support the Palestinians" in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Referring to activist groups aiming to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, the French politician said, "French ships, just like the ships of Italy and Spain, will accompany the flotillas of citizens who take action to defend the rights of the people, if necessary."

Speaking to Franceinfo radio after the entry ban decision was announced, Mélenchon reacted to the Israeli government's attitude towards him.

Mélenchon told the radio: "I was banned from entering an area that I did not apply to enter. I regret that the Israeli government targeted me in this way."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot opposed Israel's ban decision in his post on the X social media platform.

The head of French diplomacy argued that the Israeli government's attitude benefits the far-left party.

"This demagogic decision, coming from a government that has repeatedly violated international law, plays into the hands of those who thrive on exploiting the Israel-Palestine conflict, like Indomitable France," Barrot said in his post.

In the same message, Barrot reminded France's diplomatic priorities in the region and said, "France will continue to work tirelessly for the two-state solution and the peaceful coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples."