From Refugee to First Palestinian-French Lawyer Elected to the European Parliament: Rima Hassan

Recently held European Parliament elections marked a significant moment with the election of Rima Hassan, a 32-year-old Palestinian-French lawyer and activist, representing the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI). 

The LFI garnered approximately 10% of the votes, securing eight seats, and Hassan's victory stands out as she becomes the first Palestinian-French member of the European Parliament. 

Born in a refugee camp in Syria and having migrated to France at the age of ten, Hassan’s journey from statelessness to European Parliament member is notable. Her advocacy for Palestinian rights is well-documented. Hassan founded the Action for Palestine Collective and the Refugee Camps Observatory, organizations focused on supporting displaced individuals and studying refugee camp conditions. 

Hassan’s activism was shaped by her early experiences in the Neirab camp near Aleppo, where she was born. Her family’s forced displacement during the Nakba, a catastrophic event for Palestinians involving mass expulsions and dispossession, deeply influenced her. 

After arriving in France and later obtaining French citizenship at eighteen, she pursued international law at the Sorbonne University, focusing her thesis on the parallels of apartheid in South Africa and Israel. 

In 2023, Hassan was also nominated as Forbes France's Women of The Year. In her words, “The Palestine issue is not just regional but also a European concern. Europe needs to recognize Palestine to counter Israel’s colonization plans.” 

This commitment to the Palestinian cause has been unwavering, despite significant challenges. Hassan has faced harassment, threats, and accusations of supporting terrorism due to her outspoken stance. 

Hassan’s election occurred during a period of heightened tension and violence in Gaza. She has pledged to prioritize the issue in the European Parliament, emphasizing, “Gaza will be the first subject on which I will work.” 

This focus is timely, as the recent elections saw a notable shift in the political landscape of Europe, with a surge in far-right parties in France, Belgium and Germany. 

Her election has sparked widespread discussion across Europe. Her presence in the European Parliament symbolizes a growing recognition of the Palestinian plight and the broader issues of refugee rights and international law. 

Hassan has called for the European Union to take a stronger stance on Palestine, advocating for sanctions and the suspension of economic ties with Israel. Critics have accused Hassan of anti-Semitism and supporting terrorism. 

Despite these challenges, she remains steadfast, saying, “This slogan, ‘From the river to the sea,’ has no connection to the Hamas movement or the ongoing war. It’s about Palestinian rights.” 

She also highlighted the double standards in international politics, “Europe was quick to side with Ukraine and condemn Russia, but the same cannot be said for the war in the Middle East.”