French broadcaster removes replay of program after actress Adele Haenel denounces Gaza genocide

'State of Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, and France is complicit,' says Haenel during program, calling for sanctions against Israel and freedom for Palestine

French public broadcaster France Televisions has removed a replay of a television program in which actress Adele Haenel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and France of complicity. Haenel said in a video posted on Instagram that she appeared live on France 5’s literary program La Grande Librairie on Sept. 9. She said she spoke at the end of the program during a segment in which guests were given complete freedom of expression, discussing efforts to silence those speaking out about sexual violence and the genocide in Palestine. Haenel said her team recorded the segment because they expected her remarks to be edited out, but the broadcaster instead removed the program's entire replay from its website. The decision prompted criticism from lawmakers in the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party. LFI lawmaker Gabrielle Cathala said on the US social media company X that the replay was removed after Haenel denounced Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people and France’s complicity. Fellow LFI lawmaker Daniele Obono described the decision as “scandalous,” while fellow lawmaker Aymeric Caron said Haenel’s remarks about Gaza were accurate. Caron accused the French public broadcaster of failing in its coverage of Gaza over the previous three years and said it must explain who exerted pressure and requested the replay’s removal. According to French magazine Telerama, France Televisions said it removed the replay because Haenel’s remarks on Palestine had not been counterbalanced by an opposing view during the broadcast. Speaking at the end of the program, Haenel said, “I have also made a decision: I am going to speak.” “The State of Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, and France is complicit,” she said. “Do not accept the unacceptable. Therefore, impose sanctions on Israel and free Palestine.”