Israel Deports EU MP Rima Hassan Over Pro-Palestinian Stance
Israel bars EU lawmaker Rima Hassan and deports her to Brussels, sparking global outrage.
Watan-Israel continues to target voices opposing its occupation, this time by barring European Parliament member Rima Hassan from entering Tel Aviv and immediately deporting her back to Brussels. Hassan had arrived as part of an official European Union delegation, but Israeli authorities accused her of supporting the Palestinian resistance and inciting against Israel on the international stage.
According to the Hebrew newspaper Maariv, the decision was made upon direct recommendation from Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism, which classified Hassan as a “persona non grata.” The ministry alleged that she has promoted international boycotts against Israel and made public statements condemning Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
Israel’s Interior Minister Moshe Arbel issued an official order preventing her entry based on security recommendations. Analysts see this as a clear attempt to silence European voices that expose Israeli crimes against Palestinians, particularly amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Israel Deports EU Lawmaker Rima Hassan Amid Political Controversy
Hassan is also facing pressure in France, where she has been accused of “promoting terrorism” after allegedly stating that the October 7 attack was a “legitimate step.” She has denied these accusations, asserting that her words were taken out of context.
A European MP of Palestinian origin, Hassan is known for her outspoken criticism of Israel, repeatedly calling it a “terror state” that commits war crimes against Palestinians. She has also accused the Israeli military of executing children in Gaza in cold blood, making her a target of Israeli authorities.
Israel views Hassan’s activism as a threat to its influence within the EU, particularly due to her support for economic and diplomatic boycotts against the occupation. Her deportation is part of a broader effort by Netanyahu’s government to suppress pro-Palestinian voices in Europe.
The controversy surrounding Rima Hassan continues, raising questions about the political impact of such measures. While Israel seeks to stifle her voice, many believe this move could turn her into a new symbol of resistance within the European Parliament, as human rights activists rally behind her and condemn Israel’s crackdown on dissent.
