Rima Hassan, the Freedom Flotilla Activist Who Refused to Be Deported by Israel

RIMA Hassan, a member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, is one of the activists who participated in the Freedom Flotilla that set off for Gaza. The Madleen ship departed from the port of Catania, Sicily, on June 1 with the aim of delivering aid to Gaza. The ship was intercepted by Israel before reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory, Hindustan Times reported.

While Greta Thunberg signed deportation documents to leave Israel, Rima refused to do the same. Hassan, with strong Palestinian roots, refused to leave her ancestral land.

Who is Rima Hassan?

Reported by Middle East Eye, Rima Hassan, a 32-year-old legal expert and activist, became the first French-Palestinian to be a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Her party, France Unbowed (La France Insoumise, LFI), received 9.89 percent of the votes in the recent European elections and secured nine seats in Brussels. The right-wing National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN) won the most votes in France with 31.37 percent and 30 out of the 81 seats.

Previously relatively unknown, Hassan quickly gained prominence within LFI, particularly among grassroots supporters, due to her outspoken advocacy for the Palestinian cause. She consistently condemned the Israeli occupation and military actions in Gaza, often appearing at events with a keffiyeh draped over her shoulders, which she referred to as her "superhero cape."

Hassan is the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees who fled during the Nakba in 1948. She has been celebrated at pro-Palestine demonstrations and criticized by pro-Israel groups.

During her campaign, Hassan used her platform to denounce what she called the "genocide" in Gaza, labeling Israel as an "unnamed monster" and a "colonial fascist entity" that "lies every day."

While in the European Parliament, she is determined to push for European recognition of Palestine as a state, advocate for economic sanctions against Israel, call for an arms embargo over human rights violations, and pursue similar diplomatic sanctions to those imposed on apartheid-era South Africa until international law is respected.

Early Life and Activist Career

Rima Hassan was born in Syria in April 1992 to Palestinian stateless refugee parents who fled during the Nakba. Her family roots trace back to al-Birwa, a village near Acre, which is now in northern Israel.

She spent her childhood in the Neirab refugee camp near Aleppo before moving to Niort, France, at the age of 10 through family reunification. She became a French citizen at 18. Hassan told the French media that she arrived in France not knowing the language and faced discrimination in school.

Hassan pursued law studies, earning a master's degree in international law from Sorbonne, where her thesis compared apartheid in South Africa and Israel. In 2019, she founded the Refugee Camp Observatory, an NGO focused on researching refugee camps and raising awareness of refugee rights. She described her childhood in the camp as marked by constant tension and overcrowding.

After working as a reporter at the National Asylum Court (CNDA), Hassan was recognized as an "inspiring woman" by the French government in 2022. In 2023, she joined L'Oreal's Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Advisory Board, but was later dismissed due to her anti-Israel position.

Her association with LFI began at the party's summer conference, where she was drawn to their commitment to the Palestinian cause, even before it became a prominent topic in the media.

Following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, LFI invited her to join the list of candidates for the European Parliament, placing her seventh among the candidates.

Controversies and Public Criticism

Hassan's vocal criticism of Israeli policies has sparked controversy and drawn accusations of anti-Semitism against her and LFI from various quarters. In March 2024, a 'Women of the Year' award event by Forbes France was canceled following public backlash, despite Hassan being recognized as one of the 40 leading women. French TV host Arthur criticized her selection, accusing her of promoting anti-Semitism and apologizing for terrorism.

In April, Hassan and LFI leader Mathilde Panot were summoned by the police for an investigation into "apology for terrorism," following LFI's statement on October 7 linking Hamas attacks to Israeli occupation policies. Hassan clarified that her comments were misconstrued and reaffirmed that she consistently criticizes both Hamas and Israel.

Hassan has faced daily racist and sexist threats online, filed many complaints during her campaign, and took legal action to protect freedom of expression. In February, over 500 political figures signed a letter in support of Hassan and other pro-Palestinian supporters, condemning what they termed as "real persecution" from pro-Israel organizations and individuals. The letter noted that Israeli soldiers had even written Hassan's name on bombs.

Political Stance and Vision

Hassan also faced criticism for using the slogan "from the river to the Mediterranean," a phrase interpreted by some as a call to destroy Israel. She clarified that her demand is for equal rights for Israeli and Palestinian citizens and does not question Israel's existence.

Initially supporting a one-state solution, she now aligns with LFI's position favoring a two-state solution. Hassan has stated that she respects the idea of a Jewish national home but opposes aspects of Zionist colonialism.

Drawing parallels between the Palestinian struggle and French colonial history, Hassan urged France to confront its own past, particularly in Algeria. After her election, she pledged to prioritize Gaza in the European Parliament, reflecting the impact of her victory on her father, who still resides in the Neirab camp.

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