Jean-Luc Mélenchon
France’s Mélenchon pledges French ships to protect Gaza-bound flotillas
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- Mélenchon rejected the gradual annexation of the West Bank, southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
- He pledged concrete measures to mobilize against the persecution of Christian communities in Palestine and Lebanon.
- The pledges outline the foreign policy position Mélenchon says he would pursue if given the opportunity to lead France.
French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon pledged on Saturday direct action in support of Palestinians, including the possible deployment of French ships to escort civilian flotillas, as he condemned ‘Israel's’ actions in Gaza and the gradual annexation of the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, Mélenchon said France would take measures to support Palestinians facing what he called genocide in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli control over the West Bank.
"French ships will, if necessary, escort flotillas of citizens mobilizing to assert their rights," he said, signaling potential French naval involvement in protecting civilian-led maritime missions.
He also rejected any territorial expansion beyond Palestine, saying France would not accept the gradual annexation of the West Bank, southern Lebanon or the Golan Heights.
"We do not accept the gradual annexation of the West Bank, southern Lebanon or the Golan Heights," Mélenchon said.
The La France Insoumise leader further pledged concrete measures to mobilize against what he described as the persecution of Christian communities in Palestine and Lebanon, warning against the extension of violence to communities already facing siege and displacement.
The remarks came during a political rally at Le Bourget, north of Paris, on Nov. 7, as Mélenchon outlined his movement's foreign policy positions ahead of France's 2027 presidential election. He presented the proposed naval escorts as a commitment should he come to power, rather than an existing French government policy.
His comments also invoked previous efforts by European countries, particularly Italy and Spain, to provide naval support to civilian flotillas seeking to reach Gaza amid the ‘Israeli’ blockade.
Mélenchon's pledge signals a commitment to a more direct French role in supporting Palestinian rights and opposing territorial expansion in the region.
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