French authorities tighten restrictions on visible Palestinian flags in public spaces
In a recent development, Hugues Moutouh, a senior official, has signed a note addressed to prefects, instructing them to prevent mayors from raising the Palestinian flag on public buildings on September 22, 2020. This directive comes following a call by Olivier Faure, the Socialist Party leader, for mayors to display the flag in solidarity with Palestine.
The note from the Interior Ministry states that the display of the Palestinian flag would be considered a breach of the neutrality required of public institutions and could potentially pose serious risks to public order, importing an international conflict onto national soil.
However, the note does not specify whether the ban applies to private buildings as well. It also does not mention any other flags or symbols that are prohibited from being displayed on public buildings.
The Interior Ministry's note does not indicate whether the ban on displaying the Palestinian flag is temporary or permanent, nor does it detail any potential consequences for mayors who choose to ignore the ban. Prefects have been asked to take non-compliant town halls to administrative courts if necessary.
Olivier Faure, in response, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that prefects do not have the power to ban demonstrations. He also wrote that courts would decide if necessary and that a minister who has resigned should be dealing with day-to-day business, not seeking to symbolically oppose the President's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Several local leaders, including the mayors of Nantes and Saint-Denis, have already stated their intention to raise the Palestinian flag on September 22, 2020. This move comes as the UN gathers to advance a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and on the day when President Emmanuel Macron is due to make France's recognition of Palestine official at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Despite the Interior Ministry's directive, the search results do not provide information on who issued the warning letters to police prefects regarding the prevention of flying the Palestinian flag on public buildings on September 22, 2020. The note from the Interior Ministry does not mention any specific punishment for non-compliant town halls.
As the date approaches, the issue of the Palestinian flag's display on public buildings in France remains a topic of debate and anticipation.
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