An EU politician has been accused of suggesting French citizens should be free to join proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hamas.
Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament from far-left La France Insoumise (LFI), said that if French citizens were able to serve in the IDF, they should similarly be free to join the “Palestinian armed resistance”.
But the comments of the 32-year-old French Palestinian MEP sparked uproar from French Jewish leaders, who accused her of endorsing terrorist organisations.
Writing on X, the French-Palestinian lawyer said: “If Franco-Israelis are allowed to serve in the Israeli army while enjoying the benefits of dual nationality, any Franco-Palestinian must be able to join the Palestinian armed resistance whose legitimacy is recognised by the United Nations resolutions relating to the right to self-determination of peoples.
“The only thing that prevents you from considering it is the coloniality of the world.”
Si les franco israéliens sont autorisés à servir dans l’armée israélienne tout en jouissant des acquis de la double nationalité. Tout franco palestinien doit pouvoir rejoindre la résistance armée palestinienne dont la légitimité est reconnue par les résolutions des nations unies…
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) December 18, 2024
The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (Crif) accused Hassan of calling on the public to join proscribed terrorist organisations, such as Hamas, who claim to be part of “Palestinian armed resistance”.
Writing on X, Crif said: “The organisations that claim to be part of the Palestinian ‘armed resistance’ — Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, etc — are all recognised as terrorists by the European Union.
“Can you imagine a European MP calling for people to join Al Qaeda or Daesh? If Rima Hassan wanted peace and truly defended the Palestinians, she would fight Hamas instead of defending it without taking responsibility.”
Les organisations qui se réclament de la "résistance armée" palestinienne - Hamas, Hezbollah, Djihad Islamique... - sont toutes reconnues comme terroristes par l'Union Européenne.
— CRIF (@Le_CRIF) December 19, 2024
Imagine-t-on un député européen appeler à rejoindre Al Qaida ou Daesh ?
Si Rima Hassan voulait la… https://t.co/t4S9RNRFnV
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed (LFI) is the largest party in the New Popular Front (NPF), the left-wing alliance which came to power in France’s general election in July.
Moshe Sebbag, a rabbi for the Grand Synagogue of Paris, told The Times of Israel that “it seems France has no future for Jews” following the election and advised young French Jews to leave the country for Israel.
