Halting Gazan travelers following student's inflammatory anti-Semitic messages across social media platforms, French authorities have taken action.
A Palestinian student's entry into France has been temporarily halted after antisemitic content was discovered on her social media accounts. Nour A., a 25-year-old from Gaza, was due to start a master’s degree at Sciences Po university in Lille but had her accreditation canceled following the revelations.
The student's posts included calls for killing Jewish people and praise of Adolf Hitler. As a result, French authorities have launched a criminal inquiry in Lille for "apology of terrorism" and "apology of crimes against humanity using an online public communication service."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the suspension of all Gaza evacuations and stated that no evacuation would proceed until the investigation concludes. He also affirmed that she "has no place" at the university or in France and mentioned ongoing discussions about her potential return to Gaza.
Several French cabinet ministers have backed the investigation into the student's case. Prime Minister François Bayrou stated that those responsible for the student's entry could be sanctioned, and Jean-Noël Barrot, the Foreign Minister, made this announcement.
The student's scholarship was based on "academic excellence" and followed "security checks." However, it appears that these checks had flaws, as the antisemitic content was not detected before her admission and evacuation. In response, the government has ordered renewed security checks for all Palestinians evacuated from Gaza to France to prevent similar breaches in the future.
It is worth noting that security checks on Gazan evacuees traveling to France are usually conducted by both Israeli and French authorities. The student's profile was suggested to the university by the French consulate in Jerusalem.
The controversy has exposed failures in the initial screening process and has led French authorities to re-examine the profiles of all evacuees who have arrived from Gaza. The Gazan student will be expelled to an unnamed country, not Gaza, to avoid violating the principle of non-refoulement.
Anti-Semitism is a significant political issue in France, with attacks against Jews quadrupling after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. This incident has added to the concerns about the rise in antisemitic incidents in the country.
The student was hosted by Sciences Po Lille director, Etienne Peyrat, and among the earlier arrivals were French citizens, their family members, and employees of the French Institute and the French Agency for Development and their families.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
- The revelations about Nour A.'s social media posts have prompted a criminal investigation in Lille, France, for "apology of terrorism" and "apology of crimes against humanity using an online public communication service."
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the temporary halt of Gaza evacuations, stating that no evacuation would proceed until the investigation concludes.
- Several French cabinet ministers have expressed support for the investigation, including Prime Minister François Bayrou, who has suggested potential sanctions for those responsible for the student's entry.
- The student's scholarship was initially based on "academic excellence" and followed "security checks," but it appears that these checks had flaws, as the antisemitic content was not detected before her admission and evacuation.
- The controversy has led French authorities to order renewed security checks for all Palestinians evacuated from Gaza to France to prevent similar breaches in the future.
- Anti-Semitism has been a significant political issue in France, with attacks against Jews quadrupling after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, making this incident a concern for the rise in antisemitic incidents in the country.
