France has officially paused its program to evacuate Palestinians fleeing the conflict in Gaza. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that the suspension will remain in effect while officials investigate a 25-year-old Palestinian student accused of making antisemitic remarks on social media. This student, who was receiving a scholarship in Lille, is set to be expelled from France after her university revoked her accreditation due to these remarks.
Since the beginning of the conflict post the October 7 attacks by Hamas, France has already facilitated the evacuation of more than 500 individuals from Gaza. The student, who arrived in July, was supposed to begin courses at Sciences Po Lille this autumn but has since been deregistered.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed his concerns on X, stating that he has requested the student's social media account be removed, asserting that "Hamas propagandists have no place in our country." Barrot emphasized that those already evacuated will now undergo new security checks due to the failures that allowed this individual to enter France. The university confirmed the student's comments as contrary to its values, highlighting the serious implications of the situation.
Since the beginning of the conflict post the October 7 attacks by Hamas, France has already facilitated the evacuation of more than 500 individuals from Gaza. The student, who arrived in July, was supposed to begin courses at Sciences Po Lille this autumn but has since been deregistered.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed his concerns on X, stating that he has requested the student's social media account be removed, asserting that "Hamas propagandists have no place in our country." Barrot emphasized that those already evacuated will now undergo new security checks due to the failures that allowed this individual to enter France. The university confirmed the student's comments as contrary to its values, highlighting the serious implications of the situation.
