Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the French left-wing party La France Insoumise, expressed Saturday strong support for both the Palestinian cause and Lebanon during a political meeting in Paris.

Reacting to recent criticisms of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at French universities, Melenchon called for students to resist attempts to silence debate about the wars in the Middle East.

In response to remarks by the Minister of Higher Education Patrick Hetzel, who condemned the pro-Palestinian protests at institutions like Sciences Po Paris as contrary to French principles of neutrality and secularism, Melenchon criticized the government’s stance, arguing that discussing geopolitics, including the situation in Gaza, was not an affront to secularism.

"Talking about geopolitics is not an attack on secularism," Melenchon said. "I call on students to defy this prohibition and speak freely, because we live in a free country."

🇵🇸🇱🇧 « À cet instant que montent nos cris vers le Liban occupe et envahi, vers Gaza, vers les peuples palestiniens nies par ceux qui se drapent dans les symboles de la liberte ! »

— @JLMelenchon present à la manifestation pour la Palestine et le Liban aujourd’hui à Paris. pic.twitter.com/2KfzkuPuSZ

— #AvecMelenchon 🔻 (@Avec_Melenchon) October 5, 2024

Melenchon also took the opportunity to defend Hezbollah, stating, "Hezbollah is a component of the Lebanese people, and it is not up to us to decide who is a good or bad component."

In a dramatic call to action, Melenchon urged students to display Palestinian flags "wherever possible" as a sign of solidarity and defiance.

He also called for the inclusion of Lebanese flags to show support for the Lebanese people, adding, "Let the Lebanese know that we have not forgotten them or left them to the violence and murder of their terrifying neighbor," in a reference to "Israel."

Read more: Gaza Endowments demands 'Israel' be held accountable for crimes

The Israeli aggression on Lebanon has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, with the toll expected to rise as the violence continues.

Since Friday night through Saturday morning, the Israeli occupation has launched around nine airstrikes on several areas in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, including Burj al-Barajneh, Rweis, the Sayyed al-Shuhada Complex, the vicinity of the Al-Qaem Complex, and Choueifat.

As a result, thick clouds of smoke can still be seen rising in the aftermath of the violent raids, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Beirut reported. 

Macron urges halt to arms deliveries to 'Israel' for use in Gaza

Earlier today, French President Emmanuel Macron requested a halt to military supplies to "Israel," which has been waging a genocidal war on Gaza for a year. 

"I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza," Macron told France Inter.

"France is not delivering any," he continued in an interview conducted earlier this week.

Every year, the US gives "Israel" around $3 billion in armaments. In May, the State Department stated that it did not have enough evidence to prohibit weapons supplies, but that it was "reasonable to assess" that "Israel" had used weapons in ways that violated humanitarian law principles.

In September, Britain announced that it was blocking some arms transfers to "Israel," citing a "clear risk" that they would be used in a severe violation of international humanitarian law.

Macron expressed his alarm over the ongoing war in Gaza, despite repeated requests for a ceasefire. 

"I think we are not being heard," he remarked. "I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel," he added, adding that the war was causing "hatred."