Rima Hassan, a candidate for the European elections on the La France insoumise list, was summoned by the police for alleged terrorism apologia. This came after a series of cancellations of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s conferences and the prohibition of a La France insoumise conference on Palestine in Lille on April 18. In a letter received on April 19, the Franco-Palestinian jurist was called to be heard on April 30 regarding public apologia of an act of terrorism committed through online communication services between November 5 and December 1, 2023, before she became a candidate for LFI.
According to her lawyer, Vincent Brengarth, the police summons is “astounding” and aims to criminalize Rima Hassan’s expressions concerning the urgent situation in Gaza. The timing of the summons during the election campaign is seen as an attempt to weaken her amidst various pressures. Rima Hassan expressed readiness to cooperate with the judicial police, emphasizing her concern about the current climate affecting political and activist voices on the Palestinian issue. She condemned political pressures threatening freedom of expression and democracy, particularly during the crucial period of the European elections.
In November, Rima Hassan criticized the Israeli army as “the most immoral army in the world” above a photo of Israeli missiles apparently dedicated to her, on X (formerly Twitter). She also expressed her support for the liberation of all Palestinians in various regions, advocating for unity to establish a Palestinian state. Despite acknowledging the terrorist actions of Hamas and its classification as a terrorist group by the EU, Hassan, who has faced death threats, has been a target of criticism from LFI’s political opponents for allegedly inciting hatred towards Israel.
Rima Hassan’s statements and activism in support of Palestine have sparked controversy and drawn attention to the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her unwavering commitment to Palestinian rights and her critique of Israeli policies have positioned her as a polarizing figure in French politics. Despite facing challenges and legal scrutiny, Hassan remains steadfast in her beliefs and willingness to engage with authorities, highlighting the importance of freedom of expression and activism in the democratic process. The outcome of her police summons and the impact on her candidacy for the European elections remain to be seen as the political landscape continues to evolve.
