French Prime Minister François Bayrou on Wednesday criticized activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid vessel for using the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to gain political attention, following the detention of several French citizens by Israeli authorities.
Among those detained is European Parliament member Rima Hassan of the France Unbowed (LFI) party. Hassan, who is of Palestinian descent, was one of four French nationals arrested after Israeli forces intercepted the aid boat *Madleen* in international waters off Gaza on Monday. The vessel carried 12 activists aiming to highlight the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the detained activists will be deported Thursday or Friday. Four other non-French nationals were also taken into custody. An additional four, including two French citizens and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, agreed to immediate deportation and were banned from Israel for 100 years.
In the National Assembly, LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot accused the government of failing to denounce Israel’s actions. Bayrou responded, saying the activists were “instrumentalizing” the conflict and that meaningful progress would come through diplomacy and international pressure on Israel.
Barrot defended France’s diplomatic response, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. He said the French consul had visited all detained French nationals and that efforts were underway to ensure their swift return.
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a UN meeting in New York later this month focused on recognizing a Palestinian state and advancing a two-state solution.
Among those detained is European Parliament member Rima Hassan of the France Unbowed (LFI) party. Hassan, who is of Palestinian descent, was one of four French nationals arrested after Israeli forces intercepted the aid boat *Madleen* in international waters off Gaza on Monday. The vessel carried 12 activists aiming to highlight the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the detained activists will be deported Thursday or Friday. Four other non-French nationals were also taken into custody. An additional four, including two French citizens and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, agreed to immediate deportation and were banned from Israel for 100 years.
In the National Assembly, LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot accused the government of failing to denounce Israel’s actions. Bayrou responded, saying the activists were “instrumentalizing” the conflict and that meaningful progress would come through diplomacy and international pressure on Israel.
Barrot defended France’s diplomatic response, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. He said the French consul had visited all detained French nationals and that efforts were underway to ensure their swift return.
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a UN meeting in New York later this month focused on recognizing a Palestinian state and advancing a two-state solution.
