French senators demand lifting MEP Hassan immunity over Hamas remarks
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Hassan had previously stated that Hamas' actions were legitimate under international law, which recognizes armed struggle against colonialism.
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Member of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (The Unbowed) Rima Hassan arrives at Sciences-Po university in Paris Friday, April 26, 2024 (AP)
Some 94 French senators from right-wing and centrist parties have called on European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to lift the parliamentary immunity of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) MEP Rima Hassan over what they described as "controversial statements about Hamas."
Hassan had previously stated that Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas' actions were legitimate under international law, which recognizes armed struggle against colonialism. However, she also noted that "certain acts, such as taking hostages or killing, are not legitimate."
The senators who signed the petition argued that the European Union cannot remain silent in the face of what they called "statements that undermine the values of peace and mutual respect."
"Hamas has been in power since 2005, but Israel has occupied Gaza since 1967 and had even established settlements there long before Hamas came to power. Furthermore, international jurisdictions have repeatedly considered Gaza to be a territory illegally occupied by Israel," she had said.
Faux le Hamas est au pouvoir depuis 2005, Israël occupe Gaza depuis 67 et y avait même installé des colonies de peuplement et ce bien avant que le Hamas n’arrive au pouvoir. Les juridictions internationales ont par ailleurs à plusieurs reprises considérés Gaza comme un territoire…
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) March 1, 2025
In response, La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon denounced what he described as the "persecution" of Hassan, defending her right to express her views.
Hassan denied entry to occupied territories
The Israeli occupation refused Hassan's admission upon her arrival from Brussels on Monday, as directed by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel.
The decision was based on a proposal from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.
"The State of Israel is not obligated to allow entry of any official from a foreign country, including members of parliament if they work to boycott and undermine its legitimacy," Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli stated.
Chikli accused Hassan of "leading hostile campaigns against Israel, calls for boycotts and encourages economic sanctions," vowing that "we will use all the tools at our disposal to prevent the exploitation of our democracy for anti-Israeli purposes."
Hassan has passionately advocated for boycotts of "Israel" and issued several public remarks denouncing the entity on social media and in media appearances. According to the Interior Ministry, she was scheduled to be returned to Brussels immediately upon arriving.
Hassan, a 32-year-old French attorney and politician of Palestinian ancestry affiliated with the far-left La France Insoumise party, recently blamed "Israel" for the Bibas family's deaths.
