French presidential candidate calls to send aircraft carrier against IDF

French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon welcomed Macron’s expression of support for Lebanon but urged him to go further.

By World Israel News Staff

Far-left French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon called on President Emmanuel Macron to lead an international effort to force Israel out of Lebanon, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of invading and annexing Lebanese territory after Israeli forces crossed the Litani River and seized Beaufort Castle.

Mélenchon, the leader of La France Insoumise and a declared candidate for France’s 2027 presidential election, issued the appeal Monday in a series of posts on X as France and other European governments condemned Israel’s expanded ground operation against Hezbollah.

“Israel is invading and annexing all of southern Lebanon. Netanyahu has planted his flag on Beaufort Castle,” Mélenchon wrote.

“This French name should remind us that we are connected to Lebanon by a thousand years of history. We owe it rescue, affection and solidarity in the face of murderous cruelty.”

He also argued that France should use the symbolism of its naval deployment to send a warning to Israel, referring to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

“The aircraft carrier would be a more useful symbol in the Mediterranean than in Hormuz, to remind Netanyahu that his interference in our elections and his invasions of the lands of our friends are perceived as threats by the French,” Mélenchon wrote.

“The UN Security Council must condemn Israel and organize the withdrawal of its army from the territory it has invaded.”

The comments came after Macron said Sunday that regional stability must begin with Lebanon and called for a halt to the fighting.

“As for regional stability, it must begin with Lebanon, where it is urgent for all sides to cease fire, once and for all,” Macron wrote. “Nothing justifies the major escalation now taking place in southern Lebanon. France will continue to support the Lebanese authorities in their efforts to restore the state’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Mélenchon welcomed Macron’s expression of support for Lebanon but urged him to go further.

“Mr. President, I embrace your moral support for Lebanon,” he wrote. “I invite you to strengthen it by promoting the establishment of an international front to repel the invasion and demand the immediate withdrawal of Netanyahu’s army from the borders of this friendly country.”

He said such a front could secure support at the United Nations for a force to oversee an Israeli withdrawal and enforce a ceasefire.

“This front could secure a majority at the UN for sending forces under its military command to oversee this withdrawal and protect the immediate ceasefire that will be imposed on the invader,” Mélenchon wrote.

Israeli forces entered Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old Crusader fortress, on Saturday.

Netanyahu hailed the move as a sign of renewed strength.

“I remind you that, 44 years ago, this place was a symbol of a heroic battle by our fighters, but it was also a symbol of deep division among us,” Netanyahu said. “Today, we returned to Beaufort differently. We returned united, determined, and stronger than ever.”

Israel says its operations in Lebanon are aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure and are necessary to stop attacks on northern Israel.

The IDF has said Hezbollah used areas around Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki to launch projectiles at Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Mélenchon announced in May that he would seek the presidency again in 2027, his fourth run for the Élysée. Macron is barred from running for a third consecutive term.