In a highly symbolic trial, 77-year-old political scientist and Middle East expert François Burgat stood before the Aix-en-Provence court last Thursday, accused of “apologising for terrorism” for his public statements in support of the Palestinian cause and his criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Burgat, a former CNRS researcher and respected scholar of political Islam, is being prosecuted over social media posts and a book extract published nearly a decade ago. His arrest and subsequent indictment followed a complaint filed by the European Jewish Organisation and a referral by French intelligence services.

During the hearing, Burgat highlighted the polarisation of the proceedings, where “two irreconcilable visions of humanity” clashed — one acknowledging the suffering of 1% of Gaza’s victims, the other advocating for the remaining 99%. While asserting that his stance was not provocative, Burgat affirmed his pride in standing up for justice, despite the heavy toll the trial has taken on him.

At the heart of the case lies a tweet in which Burgat wrote he had “infinitely more respect for Hamas leaders than for their Israeli counterparts,” and another expressing solidarity with Abdelhakim Sefrioui, who was convicted in relation to the murder of teacher Samuel Paty, though he had never met the perpetrator. Burgat defended his statements as critiques of double standards and abuses of justice, not as endorsements of violence.

The prosecution seeks a suspended eight-month sentence, a €4,000 fine, and a six-month ban from the platform X (formerly Twitter). If convicted, Burgat could face up to five years in prison.

To many observers, the trial represents a deeper erosion of academic freedom and freedom of expression in France, especially for voices critical of Israeli policy or openly supportive of the Palestinian people. Burgat’s supporters argue that the state is using anti-terror laws to silence principled dissent, at a time when advocacy for Gaza is increasingly criminalised.

The verdict is expected on 28 May.