French TV censors actress Adele Haenel after she condemns Israel’s genocide in Palestine

What Happened

On Wednesday 9 September, French actress and activist Adele Haenel appeared on France 5 to discuss her book about violence against children and the sexual abuse she suffered from director Christophe Ruggia, who was convicted in April. During the live programme, Haenel read a text drawing a parallel between the silencing of victims of sexual violence and the situation in Gaza. She stated: “The State of Israel is committing genocide in Palestine, and France is complicit. Don't accept the unacceptable; sanction Israel and liberate Palestine.” She also claimed that Palestinians in Gaza have faced rape, sexual assault and abuse by Israeli soldiers. The studio audience applauded, but on 10 September France Televisions, parent company of France 5, removed the programme from its replay service following complaints from pro-Israeli and far-right groups. Haenel later said she had not submitted the text she recited because she was certain it would not pass, and that she had rehearsed a different script that was on the teleprompter. The submitted version ended with “What is happening in Palestine is genocide,” without naming Israel as the perpetrator.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The removal of the programme highlights the sensitivity in French media around Israel-Palestine discourse, particularly the use of the term genocide and accusations of state complicity. It raises questions about censorship and freedom of expression in broadcasting, especially when criticism of Israel risks being suppressed after organized complaints. Haenel's explanation that she altered her text to give the genocide claim a named subject—Israel—rather than leaving it agentless underscores the political and legal stakes of such language, and connects to broader debates over French arms sales to Israel and international legal proceedings.

Watch For

Monitor whether France Televisions reinstates the replay or issues a public explanation for the removal; whether French broadcast regulator Arcom or any court addresses a censorship complaint; whether Haenel or media freedom organizations pursue legal or public challenges; and whether the French government responds to Haenel's accusation of complicity, including any statements on arms exports to Israel or diplomatic reactions.