The Paris prosecutor’s office ended its investigation of Mathilde Panot over claims she endorsed violence. Panot, who leads the La France Insoumise (“France Unbowed”) parliamentary group, announced the decision on Thursday.
Panot called it “an immense victory against President Macron’s authoritarianism” and urged authorities to stop what she termed the “instrumentalisation of justice and police against defenders of the Palestinian cause.”
October Statement Sparked Legal Investigation
The investigation centred on LFI’s response to the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel.
The group’s statement described the events as “an armed offensive by Palestinian forces” and drew connections to what they called “the intensification of Israeli occupation policy” in Palestinian territories.
Police brought Panot in for questioning in April 2024, while her party campaigned for European Parliament elections with Palestinian rights at the heart of their platform. LFI has repeatedly called the situation in Gaza a “genocide” and accused French authorities of using legal measures to quiet pro-Palestinian voices.
The timing of Panot’s questioning sparked debate within French political circles. Some saw it as an attempt to undermine LFI’s electoral campaign, while others defended the legal process as necessary to maintain public order.
The investigation examined whether the party’s choice of words crossed legal lines between political commentary and endorsement of violence.
Legal Framework Sets Speech Boundaries
French law takes a strict approach to statements about violence. The crime of “apologie du terrorisme” carries penalties of up to five years in prison and €75,000 in fines. Courts must weigh freedom of expression against public safety concerns, particularly in cases involving political speech about international conflicts.
Similar Case Touches European Parliament Member
The investigation of Panot did not stand alone. Rima Hassan, who represents LFI in the European Parliament, also faced police questions about alleged terror endorsement. Hassan’s case stemmed from comments she made about Hamas actions during a November 2023 interview with Le Crayon media outlet.
Hassan defended her words as “taken out of context” where investigators saw the full interview.
Political Response Divides French Parliament
The case heightened tensions between LFI and other political groups in the French Parliament. Right-wing parties backed the investigation, while left-wing groups saw it as an attack on free speech. The debate revealed deep divisions in how French politicians approach discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Members of President Macron’s Renaissance party took measured positions, supporting the legal process while avoiding direct criticism of LFI. This careful stance reflected broader tensions in French politics over how to address Middle East conflicts without inflaming domestic tensions.
The end of Panot’s case closes a heated chapter between LFI and President Macron’s government. It also raises fresh questions about how French law treats political speech about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As debates continue over freedom of expression regarding Middle East politics, LFI maintains its position as one of France’s strongest pro-Palestinian voices.
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