A Palestinian woman from Gaza has been expelled from France’s Sciences Po Lille after authorities accused her of allegedly posting anti-Semitic and pro-terror content online.
The incident stemmed from a serious State vetting failure, the French foreign minister admitted.
The student, identified as “Nour A”, was set to start classes at the prestigious political science school in autumn 2025.
Her admission was revoked, though, after investigators allegedly linked her to a social media account containing posts that government officials condemned as “hateful”, “anti-Semitic,” and an “apology for terrorism” and “crimes against humanity”.
The university stated online: “The content of these publications is in direct contradiction with the values upheld by Sciences Po Lille, which fights against all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, and discrimination, as well as against any type of call to hatred, against any population whatsoever.”
The 25-year-old Palestinian was admitted into France via diplomatic channels rather than the interior ministry’s immigration system.
She benefited from the French Excellence scholarships from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs for students from Gaza.
This scholarship gives rights to a monthly allowance of €860, insurance, assistance from Campus France in finding accommodation and/or accommodation in CROUS (student accommodation system) for long scholarships, subject to availability; and a free visa, excluding Aramex fees (shipping delivery).
In what has become an embarrassment for Paris, the young woman was housed in an apartment owned by the school’s director Etienne Peyrat while awaiting student accommodation.
At the time of her arrival in France, Peyrat argued it was important to show openness and solidarity.
“Everyone has to contribute. When, for example, an institution like ours gets involved in welcoming a person, it’s really at the heart of what we stand for in terms of openness and solidarity,” he said.
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot admitted the situation was the result of a serious failure in State vetting procedures: “The screenings carried out by the competent services of the relevant ministries have clearly not worked.”
An internal investigation has now been launched.
Barrot added: “A Gazan student [allegedly] making anti-Semitic remarks has no place in France.”
Interior minister Bruno Retailleau noted that the woman’s entry into France bypassed his department entirely.
He demanded the closure of her “hateful” social media account, stressing: “Present in our territory, due to an entry procedure for which our ministry is not responsible, a Palestinian student made unacceptable and concerning statements.”
Nour was one of 292 Gazans welcomed to France with the help of the Quai d’Orsay since the beginning of the year.
Right-wing National Rally MP Matthias Renault, who called for the woman to be expelled from the country, warned that this might not be an isolated case and denounced the French authorities’ lack of control over the situation.
“How many Nour are there? How were they selected by the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs? What security protocols were followed before their entry into France?” he asked.
Palestinians can be recognised as asylum seekers in France following a landmark ruling by the country’s National Asylum Court. https://t.co/xvc9ySyUyl
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) July 15, 2025
