French Communist Party delegation visits Palestine to strengthen ties

From 10 to 22 July 2026 a delegation of the French Communist Party (PCF) travelled to the occupied Palestinian territories. The mission, organised by PCF 94 and the "1 million olive trees for peace" campaign, included representatives from several French regions, national PCF leaders and journalists, such as Vincent Boulet, Martine Pleuchot and other activists. In Ramallah, Jerusalem and Nablus the group met officials of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian People’s Party, Fatah ministers, human‑rights defenders and French consular authorities. They also paid tribute to Yasser Arafat at the Palestinian presidential palace.

The delegation aimed to reaffirm PCF solidarity with a free and sovereign Palestine, assess the impact of the olive‑tree planting project, and explore decentralised cooperation between French and Palestinian municipalities in sectors like water, health, education and culture. Participants noted the worsening situation in the West Bank and Gaza, citing increased checkpoints, settlement expansion and violence. The recent French recognition of the State of Palestine was highlighted as a new opportunity for sustained local partnerships.