French senator calls for Karim Benzema to be stripped of Ballon d’Or

A lawmaker in France wants former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to be stripped of his 2022 Ballon d'Or award and his French citizenship to be revoked over his alleged connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, which France considers a terrorist organization.

Valerie Boyer, a Senator for Bouches-du-Rhone, said in a press release that she requests "the forfeiture of Karim Benzema's (French) nationality" if French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin's claims are verified.

"A sanction, initially symbolic, would be to withdraw his Ballon d'Or. Finally, we must request forfeiture of nationality," Boyer said.

"We cannot accept that a French dual national, internationally known, can dishonor and even betray our country in this way."

Former France forward Benzema, 35, was born in Lyon but he is of Algerian descent to have dual citizenship. He played for Olympique Lyon before his move to Real Madrid in 2009.

Benzema scored 37 goals in 97 international caps for France.

He has also expressed his support for Palestinians in Gaza amid several days of Israeli bombardment of the enclave.

"All our prayers for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children," Benzema, who left Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club in June, said on X on Sunday.

During a TV interview on Tuesday, Darmanin said that Benzema had "notorious" links with the Muslim Brotherhood, a couple of days after Benzema showed his support for Palestinians in Gaza.

Gaza is currently experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.

Israel has denied responsibility for the strike.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian cease-fire" to ease the "epic human suffering."

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed so far. The death toll in Israel stands at more than 1,400.