French ships may escort pro-Palestinian civilian flotillas, Mélenchon says

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a far-left French presidential contender, said French ships could escort civilian flotillas if necessary. His remarks signal a possible direct role for France in supporting pro-Palestinian activists and opposing what he described as Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Mélenchon also rejected what he called the gradual annexation of the West Bank, southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights. He said concrete steps would be taken to mobilise against the spread of violence affecting Christian communities in Palestine and Lebanon; the statement did not give details of any planned escort or other action.