France Halts Gaza Evacuations Amid Antisemitism Allegations

France's decision comes as it investigates a Palestinian scholarship student's online comments, deemed antisemitic, during a time of heightened conflict between Israel and Hamas.

France has officially paused its evacuation program for Palestinians fleeing Gaza while an investigation is underway involving a Palestinian student accused of antisemitic remarks online. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that no further evacuations will occur until the inquiry is resolved.

The 25-year-old woman, who was studying on a scholarship in Lille, will be required to leave the country following her university's decision to revoke her accreditation. This decision aligns with France's response to escalating tensions in the region since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The student, who had arrived in France in July and was set to begin classes at Sciences Po Lille this autumn, has drawn significant scrutiny. France has reportedly facilitated the escape of over 500 individuals from Gaza since the onset of the conflict. However, due to her controversial online activity, the woman has faced deregistration from her academic institution.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau took to social media platform X to express his condemnation and called for the closure of the student’s account, emphasizing that "Hamas propagandists have no place in our country." Barrot commented on the failure of security checks by state services and Israeli authorities to catch her "unacceptable and concerning remarks."

Sciences Po Lille later confirmed the alignment of her comments with the institution's values, which underscores the challenges involved in managing public sentiment and security during this volatile period. Barrot indicated that existing Palestinian evacuees in France would also undergo new vetting procedures following this incident.