A French politician found herself barred from Canada, a sudden revocation of her travel authorization just hours before her scheduled flight. Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament, alleges the decision stemmed directly from her outspoken political views and advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Hassan, 33, was invited to Montreal to address concerns about the suppression of pro-Palestinian voices and the growing influence of far-right ideologies. Initially cleared to travel, she received a jarring email notification of a “sudden” review, throwing her planned speaking engagements into chaos.
She publicly denounced the move as a dangerous impediment to parliamentary work and a fundamental violation of free expression. Hassan also pointed a finger at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, suggesting their efforts contributed to the travel ban.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs countered that denying Hassan entry demonstrated the necessity of safeguarding against the importation of extremism and incitement. B’nai Brith, another Jewish advocacy group, echoed this sentiment, revealing they had alerted border services.
Hassan’s journey has been marked by unwavering support for the Palestinian people, but also by increasing controversy. She has faced criticism for defending the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, framing them as legitimate resistance under international law – a position that has fueled intense debate.
Born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Hassan’s early life was shaped by displacement and hardship. She arrived in France as a child and later gained citizenship, eventually being elected to the European Parliament in 2024.
Her activism extends beyond political office; she participated in the 2025 Freedom Flotilla, an attempt to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. That effort resulted in her detention and subsequent deportation back to France.
News of the Canadian travel ban quickly spread across social media, igniting a firestorm of reactions from diverse political perspectives. Hassan revealed that Canadian authorities cited both a previous denial of entry to Israel and unproven allegations of criminal conduct as justification for their decision.
She insists these allegations, linked to her activism, have never resulted in a conviction and represent a deliberate attempt to silence pro-Palestinian voices. The earlier refusal of entry to Israel, she explained, affected an entire delegation without legitimate reason.
Within Canada, the decision sparked condemnation from Québec solidaire MNA Haroun Bouazzi, who labeled the move a “culture of cancellation” imposed by those in power. NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice expressed fears of political motivation behind the ban.
Despite the setback, Hassan intends to deliver her planned addresses remotely, determined to share her message with the Canadian audience. The Canada Border Services Agency has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
