French MP calls IOF 'genocidal army', vows to block spox. France visit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
16 May 2025 22:00

French MP Thomas Portes has vowed to prevent the Israeli occupation forces' spokesperson from entering France, citing the genocide in Gaza.

Listen

French Members of Parliament for La France Insoumise (LFI) parliamentary group, Thomas Portes (L) and Aymeric Caron talk to the press near the entrance of the Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po Paris) during a pro-Palestine, in Paris on May 3, 2024 (Miguel Medina/AFP)

Leftist French MP Thomas Portes has vowed to prevent the entry of the spokesperson of the “genocidal army”, referring to the Israeli occupation forces' spokesperson, from visiting France.

In a post on X, Portes called the IOF spokesperson an Israeli war criminal who has no place in France, adding that "At a time when the genocide is entering its final phase with the use of hunger as a weapon of war, France cannot allow this man to set foot on national soil."

Le porte-parole d’une armée génocidaire s’apprête à venir en France le 27 mai prochain.

Au moment où le génocide entre dans sa phase finale avec l’utilisation de la faim comme arme de guerre, la France ne peut accepter que cet homme pose un pied sur le sol national.

Les… pic.twitter.com/ChAh6fJEW5
— Thomas Portes (@Portes_Thomas) May 15, 2025

It is worth noting that the spokesperson is scheduled to visit France on May 27, as announced by the MP.

'Israel' blocks French visit amid Macron’s Palestine recognition push

In April, "Israel" barred entry to 27 left-wing French parliamentarians who had planned to visit the occupied West Bank, citing their stance on the Israeli occupation and France’s shifting position on the Palestinian cause.

The Israeli Interior Ministry confirmed that the lawmakers’ visas had been revoked just days before their scheduled arrival.

The decision comes as diplomatic tensions mount following French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks indicating that France may recognize a Palestinian state in the near future.

France might recognize Palestinian statehood by June

Macron announced that France is preparing to recognize a Palestinian state within the coming months, with a formal move possibly taking place at a United Nations conference in New York this June.

Speaking to France 5 television, Macron said, "We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months." He noted that the planned recognition could be finalized during a conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at settling the Palestinian issue.

"Our aim is to chair this conference with Saudi Arabia in June, where we could finalize this movement of mutual recognition [of a Palestinian state] by several parties," Macron stated.