French MEP Faces Investigation Over Flag Incident at Oct. 7 Commemoration

A far-left French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is facing an investigation after allegations that Israeli and European Union flags were thrown to the floor during a commemoration event on Monday. The event marked the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which precipitated the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that the allegations against Rima Hassan, a lawmaker with the France Unbowed (LFI) party, are being taken "extremely seriously." According to Metsola, Hassan was observed on video allegedly removing the Israeli flag from its stand, causing the European Union flag, which was attached to the same base, to fall. Both flags were reportedly left on the ground before the member departed the scene.

Hassan's staff issued a statement asserting that the Israeli flag was removed from its stand and that the EU flag accidentally fell due to a loss of balance. The statement clarified that neither flag was trampled or damaged. Hassan's team stated that the action was part of a protest against "the ongoing genocide being perpetrated by the Israeli government" and was "in no way aimed at the people this event sought to honour, nor at their memory."

Hassan addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday, saying, "It is entirely possible - as we did with our group - to commemorate the victims of October 7 without associating ourselves with the genocidal Israeli state."

However, the incident drew criticism from other lawmakers. François-Xavier Bellamy, a right-wing French deputy, suggested that Hassan's actions represented "a form of complicity with those who - including within Europe - seek to re-import the antisemitic hatred that marked the darkest chapters of our continent's history." Nathalie Loiseau, a centrist French parliament member, commented on X that Hassan had "trampled on an Israeli flag at the European Parliament" and that the LFI party had "plumbed the depths of indecency."

Metsola emphasized the importance of an environment where individuals do not fear speaking out and where debate is prioritized over intimidation. She stated, "At a time of rising global antisemitism, we owe it to Europe's Jewish community to ensure that when they look to us they see that this is their House too." The investigation will proceed according to established procedures, including providing Hassan the right to be heard.

Hassan has previously been involved in activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She was part of a flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza last year and was subsequently detained and expelled by Israeli authorities.