France’s far-left Mélenchon ‘plays with fire’ on Palestinian support

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a far-left French presidential candidate, is gaining poll strength through pro-Palestinian rhetoric, which experts warn risks antisemitism. His party, France Unbowed, won local elections in Saint-Denis and Roubaix but faces criticism for anti-Zionist statements and refusing to label Hamas as terrorist. Party members have justified Palestinian armed struggle as legitimate under international law, sparking legal and political backlash.