Pro-Palestinian French MEP Rima Hassan Barred from Canada Ahead of Montreal Speaking Events
Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin and affiliated with the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), was denied entry to Canada on March 27, 2026. The decision came hours before her scheduled flight to Montreal, where she had been invited to speak at two conferences.
Initial Approval Followed by Sudden Review
Hassan’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) was initially approved by Canadian authorities. Late on Friday, March 27, she received an email stating that her application was under review. Canadian officials requested additional personal records, which Hassan described as disproportionate. The review reportedly focused on two issues: an alleged failure to disclose a prior visa refusal or denial of entry to another country, and an alleged failure to report a criminal offense, arrest, formal investigation, or conviction.
These points were tied to Hassan’s political record. In February 2025, she was part of an EU parliamentary delegation denied entry to Israel. Israeli authorities cited her support for boycotting Israel as the reason for barring her from that trip. Hassan has also faced complaints in France for false allegations of “apology for terrorism” linked to her strong pro-Palestinian positions, though no charges resulted.
Hassan’s Response and Accusations of Censorship
On social media, Hassan stated: “I was prevented from traveling to Canada: a troubling obstruction to parliamentary work and freedom of expression.” She viewed the last-minute revocation as directly connected to her advocacy for Palestinian rights.
La France Insoumise issued a strong statement condemning the move. The party noted that Hassan planned to address “alleged efforts to censor pro-Palestinian voices and resistance to the rise of the far right” at events in Montreal. LFI described the decision as part of “a concerning trend of restricting the freedom of expression and movement of political representatives, as well as part of a broader pattern of censorship targeting democratic debate.” (Middle East Monitor)
Reactions from Canadian Political Figures
Québec Solidaire legislature member Andrés Fontecilla called on Ottawa to explain the reasons behind the refusal. The New Democratic Party (NDP) joined LFI in condemning the action as “a serious infringement on the exercise of a parliamentary mandate and on freedom of expression.”
Hassan announced she would still deliver her two scheduled conferences remotely on Monday and Tuesday evenings. She said this would allow her to speak out against what she called an “attempt at censorship.” The events involved collaboration with groups including Québec Solidaire.
Context of Lobbying and Border Security Concerns
Reports indicate that pro-Israel organizations, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and B’nai Brith Canada, had raised concerns about Hassan’s planned visit in the weeks leading up to her trip. Some groups provided information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and applauded the final decision, arguing it prevented the spread of hate or incitement. Hassan and her supporters countered that such lobbying amounted to political interference aimed at silencing criticism of Israeli policies.
The Montreal Gazette reported that Hassan, aged 33, is a high-profile pro-Palestinian activist within the far-left La France Insoumise party. Her case has sparked debate across the political spectrum in both Canada and France, with hundreds of thousands of views on her social media posts. (Montreal Gazette)
Broader Implications for Political Travel and Speech
This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions around the Israel-Gaza conflict and debates over free speech in Western democracies. Hassan’s prior denial of entry to Israel in 2025, when an entire EU delegation ultimately canceled its visit, drew international attention at the time. Similar cases involving parliamentarians from various countries have raised questions about the balance between national security, border control, and the ability of elected officials to engage in international dialogue.
Canadian authorities, including the CBSA and the office of the Immigration Minister, have not issued detailed public comments on the individual case, citing privacy laws. No official statement from the federal government on the specific reasons for revocation has been released as of March 29, 2026.
The events in Montreal were set to bring together left-leaning voices from Quebec and international guests to discuss censorship and political trends. Despite the travel ban, organizers indicated the remote format would proceed. (Anadolu Agency)
