MONTREAL (VINnews) — Jewish advocacy groups praised Canada’s decision to deny entry to French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who said her previously approved travel authorization was revoked ahead of scheduled speaking engagements in Montreal.

À la suite de renseignements fournis par B’nai Brith Canada à l’ASFC, Rima Hassan s’est vu refuser l’entrée au Canada aujourd’hui. Merci à @CanBorder d’avoir agi avec une telle rapidité et détermination.

Le Canada n’est pas une tribune pour ceux qui justifient le terrorisme,… pic.twitter.com/eQLNXYHazG

— B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) March 29, 2026

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the decision reflects the importance of preventing individuals it described as promoting extremism from entering Canada. B’nai Brith Canada also welcomed the move, saying the country should not provide a platform to individuals who justify violence or incitement.

Hassan, a member of the French political party La France Insoumise, said on social media that Canadian authorities initially approved her entry but later reversed the authorization on the day of her planned departure, informing her by email.

She was scheduled to speak at two conferences in Montreal as part of her role as an elected European Parliament lawmaker. Hassan said the cancellation prevented her from fulfilling her engagements in person.

J’ai été empêchée de me rendre au Canada : une entrave préoccupante à l’action parlementaire et à la liberté d’expression.

J’assurerai malgré tout mes deux conférences à distance lundi et mardi soir, ce qui sera pour moi l’occasion de m’exprimer sur cette tentative de censure. https://t.co/gqhjninP8w

— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) March 28, 2026

According to Hassan, Canadian authorities cited issues related to her travel history, including a prior entry refusal to another country and questions regarding previous legal complaints that did not result in a conviction. She also noted she had previously been denied entry to Israel during a 2025 visit with a European Parliament delegation.

Supporters of Hassan, including members of La France Insoumise, condemned the decision, calling it a restriction on political expression and criticizing what they described as pressure campaigns aimed at silencing her.

The student group that organized the conferences said it was outraged by the decision and argued it reflected outside pressure on academic and political discourse.

Canadian authorities have not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the entry denial.