The unusual threat of the leader of the extreme left in France to Israel

The leader of the extreme left in France, Jean-Luc Melanchon, yesterday (Sunday) threatened Israel in a post on the X Network and demanded that President Emmanuel Macron place a French aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea. The unusual statement comes against the background of France’s strong opposition to the expansion of Israeli activity in Lebanon.

“Israel is invading and annexing all of southern Lebanon. Netanyahu planted his flag on the Beaufort Citadel. We are linked to Lebanon through a thousand years of shared history. We owe it rescue, affection and solidarity against thugs of a murderous nature,” Melanchon wrote, emphasizing: “The aircraft carrier will be a more useful symbol in the Mediterranean than in the Strait of Hormuz, to remind Netanyahu that his interference in our elections and his invasions of France’s friendly territories are perceived in France as threats”.

This is an unusual threat from the leader of the extreme left in France, who announced last month that he will run for the presidency of France next year. About a month ago he called for a united front with Spain, one of the countries most hostile to Israel in Europe.

In another post, Melanchon called for the establishment of an international front “that will reject the invasion and demand the immediate withdrawal of Netanyahu’s army.” He added that there must be an “end to the system of double standards” enjoyed by Israel.

Criticism of Israeli activity in Lebanon also came from the French government. President Macron publicly called for a ceasefire, writing that “nothing justifies the significant escalation currently taking place in southern Lebanon”, and announced that Paris would help the Lebanese authorities to help their sovereignty.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrow announced that he called for an “emergency meeting” of the UN Security Council following Israel’s ongoing military action in Lebanon. In an interview with the French channel BFMTV, Barrow stated that “nothing can justify Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon and the ever-increasing deepening of the occupation of Lebanese territories.” He added that this was a “big mistake on Israel’s part.”

Relations between France and Israel have deteriorated sharply in the past two years, and France has placed particular emphasis on the situation in Lebanon, where there is a unique relationship between the countries. At the same time, France promotes sanctions against the settlements in the European Union.