France Halts Gaza Evacuations Over Student Controversy

France has temporarily suspended its program for evacuating Palestinians fleeing Gaza due to recent allegations against a Palestinian student accused of making antisemitic remarks on social media.

French authorities have put a hold on the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza, following an investigation into a Palestinian student based in France. The Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, announced that no further evacuations will occur until the investigation into the 25-year-old woman is completed. The student, who was on a scholarship in Lille, has been accused of posting antisemitic comments online, resulting in her university withdrawing her enrollment. Since the outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, France has successfully facilitated the departure of over 500 individuals from Gaza. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has condemned the student's remarks, asserting that individuals promoting Hamas propaganda are unwelcome in the country. He has called for legal action against her online profile and indicated that other Palestinians who arrived via this evacuation scheme will be subjected to new security screenings. The university confirmed the student's comments as inconsistent with the institution's core values, raising concerns over the effectiveness of security checks previously conducted with state and Israeli oversight.