Far-left French candidate warns of warships escorting aid boats to Gaza

In depth

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the far left in France and the candidate polls place in second place in the presidential race, delivered a sharp speech against Israel. In the speech he promised that if elected he would send French navy ships to escort aid boats to Gaza. He also attacked Israel over the West Bank, southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

Israel's ambassador in Paris responded sharply to his remarks and compared them to fascism. Mélenchon, meanwhile, presented his party's economic platform, which includes steep taxes on the wealthy and mandatory ecological service for young French citizens.

The platform includes a minimum wage of 1,700 euros, lowering the retirement age to 60, shortening the work week and expanding welfare services. Mélenchon, 75, is running for the French presidency for the fourth time and hopes to defeat Marine Le Pen. If the two advance to a second round, he may hand the far right the historic victory it has tried to prevent for decades.