French Broadcaster Removes Program Replay After Actress Condemns Israel’s Gaza Actions

French public broadcaster France Télévisions has removed the replay of a program featuring actress Adèle Haenel after she spoke about Israel’s actions in Gaza and France’s alleged complicity.

Haenel said in a video posted on Instagram on Thursday that she appeared on France 5’s literary program La Grande Librairie on Wednesday, where guests were allowed to share their views.

At the end of the program, Haenel said, “Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, and France is complicit.”

“Do not accept the unacceptable,” she added, calling for sanctions against Israel and demanding, “Free Palestine.”

Haenel said her team had recorded the segment because they expected her remarks about Gaza to be removed. However, France Télévisions removed the entire replay from its website.

She said the decision showed how pro-Palestinian voices were being silenced and pushed out of public debate. She also sarcastically thanked the broadcaster, saying the removal supported her argument.

Lawmakers from the France Unbowed Party (LFI) also criticized the decision. MP Sarah Legrain praised Haenel for “resisting all forms of domination,” while Gabrielle Cathala said the replay was removed after Haenel criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and France’s role.

LFI lawmaker Danièle Obono called the decision “scandalous.” Aymeric Caron said Haenel’s remarks about Gaza were accurate and asked the broadcaster to explain who had pressured it to remove the replay.

French magazine Télérama reported that France Télévisions said Haenel’s remarks about Palestine were removed because they were not balanced by an opposing view during the broadcast.

The decision has increased criticism of the broadcaster’s handling of Palestine-related speech.

Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 173,000 wounded, according to the figures cited in the report.