Overview
- Israel announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that it has barred French left‑wing presidential candidate Jean‑Luc Mélenchon and LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot from entering the country.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the ban reflects what he called an "extremely anti‑Israel" stance and accused both figures of spreading ritual‑murder allegations against Israel.
- Mélenchon said he had not sought to enter Israel and described the decision as persecution, adding that he was not disappointed because he had no plans to visit.
- The ban singles out a leading presidential contender who polls show has electoral strength in France and follows reciprocal tensions such as France recently denying entry to an Israeli settler leader.
- The move occurs against the backdrop of the Israel–Gaza war and growing European scrutiny of ties with Israel, including an EU Commission review of a citizens' initiative to suspend the EU‑Israel agreement.