Israel Bars French Presidential Hopeful Mélenchon

Israel has barred French presidential hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon from entering the country. Foreign and Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar made the decision, which the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday evening. Mélenchon leads the far-left France Unbowed party. Mathilde Panot, who heads the party's faction in the French parliament, has also been banned from entering Israel.

The Foreign Ministry said the decision was taken "in light of the extreme anti-Israel policy of the France Unbowed (LFI) party and the outrageous statements of the party's leaders, including the statements of party leader Mélenchon and parliamentary faction chair Panot." It said the pair's remarks amounted to "blood libels against Israel." The ministry also pointed to Mélenchon's call "to send French ships to escort the illegal flotillas to Gaza."

"Israel will respond firmly against anyone who harms it and will not allow entry to those who act and incite against it and its citizens," the ministry said.

The ban follows a speech Mélenchon gave to supporters earlier this week. In it, he pledged that if he is elected president of France he will do everything "to stop the Holocaust in Gaza, the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, the Golan Heights and Lebanon." He said he would not hesitate to confront Israel directly, adding, "If necessary, I will deploy the armed forces."

Mélenchon also said he would send French warships to Israel's coast "to protect civilian flotillas trying to break the criminal blockade of Gaza." Srugim reported that he is expected to be the left's leading candidate in France's presidential election next April.