A student from Gaza, Nour Attaalah, has left France for Qatar after her social media accounts revealed anti-Semitic comments, leading to her expulsion from the country. Attaalah, who had been studying in France on a scholarship, was ordered out after French authorities deemed her comments unacceptable.
What Happened
Nour Attaalah, a Gazan student, arrived in France on July 11, 2025, under a student visa and government scholarship as part of a program for Gazan students. She was set to join Sciences Po Lille for the fall semester. However, social media posts from the past two years were discovered, in which she called for violence against Jews. These posts, now deleted, led to a judicial investigation for condoning terrorism and raised concerns about security.
In response to the seriousness of the comments, France’s foreign ministry stated that Attaalah could no longer remain on French soil. She left France for Qatar on August 3, 2025, to continue her studies there. The foreign ministry confirmed that her departure was due to the gravity of the remarks, which were deemed unacceptable.
Who Is Nour Attaalah
Nour Attaalah, 20, was pursuing higher education as part of an initiative aimed at providing educational opportunities for students from Gaza. She had been granted a scholarship to study in France, specifically to join Sciences Po Lille. However, her past social media activity came under scrutiny, prompting the French government to take action. Attaalah’s lawyer, Ossama Dahmane, has stated that she denies the accusations and decided to leave France voluntarily to ensure her safety and continue her education in a more peaceful environment.
Background or Timeline
Attaalah’s arrival in France was marked by high hopes for her education, but soon after, troubling social media posts from the previous two years were uncovered. These posts called for the killing of Jews, leading to a judicial investigation into her actions. The discovery of these comments triggered widespread concern and led to an inquiry into how such posts were not flagged earlier. Sciences Po Lille confirmed the authenticity of the posts but did not provide further details.
In light of the investigation, the French government decided to freeze its student evacuation programs from Gaza, which had allowed several hundred students to enter the country since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This suspension will remain in place until the investigation into how the posts were missed is completed.
Public or Social Media Reaction
The discovery of Attaalah’s social media posts sparked a wave of reactions both in France and internationally. Some social media users supported her departure, calling for accountability, while others defended her, claiming the posts were taken out of context. Attaalah’s lawyer has also insisted that the tweets in question were shared without the full context, suggesting that the facts were distorted.
Official Statement or What Happens Next
France has suspended its intake of students from Gaza, citing the ongoing investigation into how Attaalah’s posts were missed. While the French government has not revealed how many students are affected, the situation has raised questions about the vetting process for students entering the country. The investigation will continue, and authorities are looking into potential gaps in the screening procedures for incoming students.
Attaalah’s future studies will now take place in Qatar, where she has chosen to continue her education, aiming to avoid further controversy and ensure her personal safety.
Closing Line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
