French mayors to fly Palestinian flags despite Govt orders

Paris, Sep 21: Several French mayors plan to fly Palestinian flags on town halls in defiance of government orders, as France prepares to formally recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly.

It’s unclear how many cities will join the initiative on Monday after Socialist leader Olivier Faure’s call to fly the flags, despite warnings from the Interior Ministry against such displays in a country with both Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations.

But the call has been gaining momentum as Palestinian flags have been more and more visible in France over the nearly two-year war in Gaza. Palestinian banners were on display in demonstrations this week during a big day of protests across the country that criticised several polices by French President Emmanuel Macron and his government.