Mathilde Panot denounces a “double standard” in Paris’ foreign policy

AA / Istanbul / Ben Amed Azize Zougmore

The president of the La France insoumise (LFI) group in the National Assembly, Mathilde Panot, denounced on Sunday a “revolting” “double standard” in France’s foreign policy, comparing Paris’ attitude towards Russia and of Israel.

Guest of the program Questions Politiques on France Inter and in partnership with Le Monde, the MP criticized the absence, according to her, of strong measures against Israel, despite the situation in the Middle East.

“Netanyahu is annexing South Lebanon, colonizing the West Bank and committing genocide in Gaza,” she declared, adding: “What is France doing? Nothing. HAS”

Criticizing Paris for not adopting sanctions comparable to those taken against Russia, the rebellious elected official asserted: “France has carried out 19 sets of sanctions against Vladimir Putin for his violations of international law. HAS”

“This double standard is revolting”she concluded.

These statements come against a backdrop of persistent tensions in the Middle East and growing debates in France over Paris’ diplomatic position.

Israel has been bombing Lebanon and has launched a ground offensive in the south since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. The region has been on alert since the United States and Israel launched an air offensive against Iran on February 28.

Since March 2, intensified Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,500 people and displaced more than a million people, according to Lebanese authorities.

A ten-day ceasefire was first announced on April 16, but it was repeatedly violated.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following a second round of high-level negotiations at the White House.

In addition, a ceasefire agreement supported by the United States has been in force in Gaza since October 10, ending a two-year war led by Israel, which has left more than 72,000 dead, mostly women and children, and more than 172,000 injured since October 2023.