"Israel" denies entry to EU parliamentarian over boycott calls

"Israel" denied entry to European Parliament member Rima Hassan on Monday, accusing her of promoting boycotts against the country.

"Israeli" Interior Minister Moshe Arbel ordered the ban while Hassan was en route from Brussels, preventing her from entering upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

Arbel justified the decision by stating that Hassan had “consistently worked to promote boycotts against "Israel" and had made numerous critical public statements about the country.

Hassan, a 32-year-old French politician born in Aleppo, Syria, is a member of The Left group in the European Parliament.

She was traveling with four other lawmakers as part of an EU-Palestine delegation.

Her office said it was unaware of "Israel’s" decision until her arrival, after which she was forced to wait for a return flight to Europe.

A circulating video of the incident clearly shows the moment Hassan was deported from the plane after arriving in "Israel".

Arrivée ce lundi à l’aéroport Ben Gourion de Tel-Aviv, la députée européenne LFI Rima Hassan s’est vue refuser l’entrée sur le territoire israélien sur ordre de la ministre de l'Intérieur (AllianceFr) pic.twitter.com/wRIpyKjJuD

— Frontières (@Frontieresmedia) February 24, 2025

Many activists also praised her courage for attempting the trip despite allegedly receiving multiple death threats.

Bravo à Rima Hassan qui, malgré les menaces de mort de l’extrême droite et de leurs alliés génocidaires, a eu le courage de se rendre sur la terre de ses ancêtres. Sa détermination à lutter pour la paix et la vérité rappelle celle des femmes iraniennes.

Femme, Vie, Liberté. pic.twitter.com/jUFG2L8YoM

— brandon miaw  (@brandonmiaw) February 24, 2025

The move follows a new "Israeli" law passed this month that bars entry to non-citizens and non-residents who have denied Hamas’ October 7 event, supported legal action against "Israeli" soldiers, or called for a boycott of "Israel".

The law also prohibits the entry of Holocaust deniers.