Israel bans French presidential candidate and party group leader from entering the country

In the statement made by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was claimed that the decision was taken due to the LFI's anti-Israeli attitude and the statements of the party leaders.

It was noted that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar decided to ban Melenchon and Panot from entering the country due to their anti-Israeli attitudes.

The statement also pointed out that two French politicians requested that French ships accompany the fleets carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza, claiming that they "spread slander against Israel".

France did not allow Yossi Dagan, Chairman of the Israeli Shomron Regional Council, which includes many settlements established by usurping Palestinian lands in the north of the occupied West Bank, to enter the country.

Melenchon: I did not request to enter (this country)

French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who was banned from entering Israel, also evaluated the entry ban against him in a statement he made on the social media platform of the US-based company X.

Melenchon said, "Israel forbids me from entering its territory. I did not request to enter (this country). If we come to power, we will say what we have to say." he said.

Emphasizing that if he comes to power, he will continue to react to the genocide in the Gaza Strip, the occupation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, and the gradual annexation of Lebanon and the occupied Syrian territory of the Golan Heights, Melenchon said, "Rejecting the law of the strongest or the most insane and respecting international law under all circumstances; this is our political line." he stated.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, on the French public broadcaster Franceinfo, where he was a guest, expressed his regret for the Israeli government pursuing him in this way.

When asked what his relations with his Israeli counterpart would be like if he were elected president, Melenchon said, "There is no normalization when there is a genocide and the south of Lebanon and the Golan Heights are occupied." he replied.