“She’s a brilliant person.
» While France Insoumise (LFI) launches its campaign for the 2024 European elections this Saturday, the party coordinator reacted in the morning to the controversy sparked by the presence of the controversial Franco-Palestinian activist Rima Hassan on their list.
“She is a personality who will carry into this campaign the demand for a ceasefire in Gaza,” declared Manuel Bompard on franceinfo, adding that “it is a source of pride” to carry this demand with her.
Denouncing the inaction, according to him, of France and the European Union to put an end to the conflict, the rebellious MP believes that by “sending Rima Hassan and the MEPs of rebellious France to the European Parliament, you will have votes who will take a stand, who will fight.”
“I am proud that she carries her commitments alongside us,” he assured, adding that this list only includes “people who share common objectives”.
🔴Rima Hassan controversy on the LFI list for the Europeans➡️ “I am proud that she carries this commitment alongside us. I would like the smear campaigns against her, based on false information, to stop immediately,” replies Manuel Bompard.
#8h30franceinfo pic.twitter.com/VWl7r4GExE
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) March 16, 2024
Rima Hassan, a 31-year-old lawyer and refugee specialist who grew up in a camp in Syria, is accused of having made controversial comments about Israel.
In an interview with the media Le Crayon, she estimated after October 7 that it was “true” that Hamas was carrying out legitimate action.
Rima Hassan defended herself by explaining that the interview had been truncated, regretting “censorship”.
She also describes the State of Israel as a “fascist colonial entity” that “lies every day”.
Another controversial statement from Rima Hassan: her use of the slogan “from the river (Jordan) to the sea (Mediterranean)”, an expression associated by some with the destruction of Israel.
“
I ask that all Palestinians, wherever they live, be delivered from all these oppressions, from the Jordan to the sea,” she defended.
“Smear campaigns”
Manuel Bompard denounced “fake news” on Franceinfo.
According to the rebellious elected official, “Rima Hassan precisely said:
I am fighting for equal rights from the sea to the Jordan.
It means the recognition of a State of Palestine, as stipulated by international law since 1967,” he explained.
The coordinator of the rebellious party castigated “smear campaigns against her, based on false information” and called for them to “stop immediately”.
Also read: Rima Hassan, described as anti-Semitic by Arthur, will file a complaint for defamation
In February, Forbes magazine, which last year ranked Rima Hassan among the 40 most influential women in the world, decided to cancel the “40 women of the year 2023” ceremony in the face of the controversy sparked by the presence of the figure of the Palestinian cause.
“Immediately, there was a campaign of cyberharassment which was mounted against her”, indicated Manuel Bompard, according to him Rima Hassan is accused of “carrying the voice of peace” and “the demands of a cease -the fire in Gaza.”
The Franco-Palestinian activist should be present at the launch of LFI's European campaign at the Villepinte exhibition center (Seine-Saint-Denis), where more than 3,000 activists are expected.