France Suspends Gaza Refugee Scheme After Student Investigated for Antisemitic Posts

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France has temporarily suspended its refugee intake from Gaza following the discovery that a Palestinian student, recently admitted under the programme, allegedly shared antisemitic and extremist content online. The suspension comes just days after President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for France to recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The student, a young woman from the Gaza Strip, had been accepted to study at Sciences Po university in Lille, northern France. She had arrived in the country on 11 July and was initially housed by the university’s director while awaiting permanent accommodation. She had also received a scholarship for academic excellence, reportedly following routine security checks.

However, local authorities in Lille confirmed that a judicial investigation has been launched against the student, who is accused of attempting to justify terrorism and crimes against humanity. Her online posts included a photograph of Adolf Hitler alongside text that appeared to call for the killing of Jewish people.

In response, the university swiftly revoked her admission, and French officials have ordered that she leave the country. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned her posts as “unacceptable and concerning,” stating that “Hamas propagandists have no place in our country.” France’s Minister Delegate for Europe, Jean-Noël Barrot, echoed this sentiment: “A Gazan student making antisemitic remarks has no place in France.”

Barrot further admitted that the original vetting procedures had failed. As a result, all approximately 500 individuals already in France under the Gaza refugee scheme will now undergo a second round of screening. “No evacuation of any kind will take place until we have concluded this investigation,” Barrot added, indicating that the entire programme is under review.

The case has sparked renewed scrutiny over France’s refugee policies, particularly as they relate to national security. It has also raised questions about the timing of Macron’s recent foreign policy stance, given that he pledged support for Palestinian statehood recognition at the United Nations just days before the student’s social media activity came to light.

The move has been followed by similar declarations from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the United Kingdom and former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, now active in Canadian politics.

France’s decision to pause the Gaza programme underscores growing concerns about the balance between humanitarian commitments and national security, especially in an increasingly volatile international climate.