Key facts
- MEP Rima Hassan faces trial for allegedly glorifying terrorism by sharing a quote attributed to a 1972 attack perpetrator.
- Hassan claims the trial is a political attempt to silence pro-Palestinian voices.
- The quote shared on X stated, 'As long as there is oppression, resistance will not only be a right, but a duty.'
- Prosecutors argue the post constitutes an 'apology for terrorism' under French law.
- Hassan's parliamentary immunity was bypassed, with prosecutors citing her being caught in the act of posting.
- Supporters, including political allies and cultural figures, have signed an op-ed defending Hassan.
French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan is set to appear in court to face charges of glorifying terrorism, a case she contends is politically motivated to silence pro-Palestinian advocacy. Hassan shared a quote attributed to Kōzō Okamoto, a Japanese militant responsible for a 1972 attack that killed 26 people, stating, 'As long as there is oppression, resistance will not only be a right, but a duty.'
Prosecutors argue this constitutes an 'apology for terrorism' under French law. However, Hassan maintains her intention was to discuss the philosophy of resistance and views the trial as a continuation of attacks she has faced for her pro-Palestinian activism since entering politics in 2024. She believes the case is an attempt to put the Palestinian cause on trial.
Hassan, a member of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's France Unbowed movement, has been a prominent voice defending Palestinian rights, with critics framing her as an advocate for Hamas. Her political work has largely focused on the Palestinian cause, and she has previously been banned from entering Israel. The Paris prosecutor's office has reported 16 legal complaints against her concerning remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with this trial being one of the outcomes.
The proceedings have also raised questions about parliamentary immunity, as prosecutors argued Hassan was caught in the act of committing a crime due to the timing of her social media post. Hassan stated that several colleagues and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola have expressed support, believing her immunity was breached. Her party intends to make the Palestinian cause a central theme in the upcoming French presidential election campaign, with Hassan expected to play a significant role.
An op-ed supporting Hassan, signed by numerous political allies and cultural figures, argues that her treatment is part of a broader effort to deter individuals from exercising freedom of conscience on issues related to the conflict.