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2h ago

France’s Palestine Recognition Spurs Clash Over Town-Hall Flags

The interior minister ordered prefects to block Palestinian flags on public buildings on neutrality grounds.

A Paris, le 17 septembre.
Olivier Faure a appelé les maires à hisser le drapeau palestinien sur leur hôtel de ville.

Overview

  • France plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine on September 22, and Socialist leader Olivier Faure has urged mayors to hoist the Palestinian flag that day.
  • Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told prefects to oppose Palestinian flag displays on public buildings, citing recent administrative rulings and the neutrality of public services.
  • A 2005 Council of State precedent restricts political symbols on public buildings, and tribunals have recently ordered removals in cities including Gennevilliers, Besançon, Saint-Denis and Faches-Thumesnil.
  • Courts have treated other cases differently, with a 2024 Versailles ruling allowing the Ukrainian flag as a solidarity gesture if approved by a municipal council, and shifting decisions on Israeli flags such as in Nice.
  • In Corbeil-Essonnes, the mayor refuses to take down a Palestinian flag despite prefect demands and plans to hand out 1,000 flags on Monday at 6:30 p.m.