French Mayors Raise Palestinian Flags Despite Government Warnings Ahead of UN Recognition
As France prepares to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, some French mayors have chosen to fly Palestinian flags on town halls, despite warnings from the Interior Ministry. The move has been gaining momentum amid the nearly two-year war in Gaza, which has heightened public attention on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In Malakoff, a Paris suburb, Mayor Jacqueline Belhomme refused to remove the Palestinian flag despite orders to do so, stating it is a symbolic gesture of solidarity similar to the Ukrainian flag previously displayed. In southwestern France, the communist mayor of Mauléon-Licharre, Louis Labadot, briefly raised the flag before removing it after the case was referred to an administrative court, emphasizing the flag represents freedom of thought.
Other mayors across the country, including Mathieu Hanotin of Saint-Denis and Johanna Rolland of Nantes, have announced plans to display the Palestinian flag in solidarity. Meanwhile, Paris illuminated the Eiffel Tower with both Palestinian and Israeli flags separated by a dove symbolizing peace.
The Interior Ministry has instructed local authorities to oppose such displays, citing the principle of neutrality in public service and the risk of importing international conflicts onto French soil. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that town halls should only display the French national flag.
Political debates continue as some officials, like Ian Brossat of the French Communist Party, criticize the minister for contradicting France’s diplomatic position. Others, like Saint-Ouen’s mayor Karim Bouamrane, advocate displaying both Israeli and Palestinian flags as a gesture of peace and unity.
This growing movement illustrates the tension between local government autonomy, public diplomacy, and the symbolic gestures surrounding the Palestinian issue in France.
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