Overview

• Rima Hassan was intercepted by Israeli authorities during a humanitarian flotilla to Gaza and expelled on June 12
• Thousands of supporters gathered at Place de la République to greet her return, where Jean-Luc Mélenchon compared her to Victor Hugo
• Opponents have accused her and FrFrance Insoumise of prioritizing foreign causes over French interests, invoking the “parti de l’étranger” critique
• Hassan has already pledged to organize another humanitarian flotilla to Gaza, signaling her activism will continue
• Some party figures and analysts see Mélenchon’s fervent endorsement as paving the way for Hassan to emerge as his potential successor