Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan was refused entry to Canada, a few days before two conferences in which she was to participate.
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The elected official was invited to Montreal to participate in two conferences and a series of meetings, notably with Québec solidaire (QS) and the New Democratic Party (NPD).
“I was prevented from traveling to Canada: a worrying obstacle to parliamentary action and freedom of expression,” she wrote in X.
His party, La France insoumise (LFI), explained in a press release that its initial request for travel authorization had been approved by Canadian authorities. However, this request was finally examined at the end of the day on Friday.
The existence of reports relating to a previous visa refusal as well as a criminal offense would constitute the reason given, according to La France insoumise (LFI).
The French party explains that in February 2025, a delegation of European deputies, including Rima Hassan, was refused entry into Israel “without justification”, despite authorization. Complaints for “apology of terrorism” were then also filed against her, without leading to any conviction, according to the party.
La France insoumise therefore denounces a “restriction of freedom of expression”, in the name of its own organization as well as to the NPD.
The LFI also criticized the Advisory Center for Jewish and Israeli Relations (CIJA) which would have “actively worked” to “prevent the coming of Rima Hassan to Canada”.
“Rima Hassan is banned from entering Canada. So much the better, reacted the organization on social networks. This decision clearly shows that vigilance and mobilization have a real impact. »
The organization also signed a letter on Thursday to denounce the visit of Mr.me Hassan, saying she supports “anti-Semitism” and the “glorification of terrorism.”
Québec Solidaire clarified that it is trying to “shed light on all the facts”.
“If Ms. Hassan was indeed prevented from entering Canada because of her political positions, this would pose a serious problem of censorship and would raise real concerns for democratic debate and the free circulation of ideas,” said Andrés Fontecilla, responsible for international relations, in a press release obtained by the QMI Agency.
