Overview

• Emmanuel Macron is set to announce France’s recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN on 22 September alongside other Western countries.
• The interior minister instructed prefects on 19 September to oppose Palestinian flags on public buildings, citing neutrality rules and urging rapid recourse to administrative courts.
• Judges ordered Malakoff to remove a Palestinian flag and suspended a planned display in Bezons, and a mayor in Mauléon‑Licharre took down a flag after a prefectoral court referral.
• Some local leaders persist with symbolic actions, with Lille displaying Palestinian flags, Saint‑Ouen planning a multi‑flag display including Israeli and UN flags, and Corbeil‑Essonnes preparing to hand out 1,000 flags.
• An Elabe poll finds 53% support for France’s recognition but 71% oppose Palestinian flags on town halls, as authorities prepare reinforced vigilance over potential antisemitic incidents.