Outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has urged prefects to block an initiative from the Socialist Party’s Olivier Faure to hoist Palestinian flags on French town halls on September 22nd.
The proposed date coincides with the expected official recognition of the State of Palestine by France.
Retailleau issued a telegram to prefects on September 19th, stressing that “the principle of public service neutrality prohibits such displays.” Prefects were instructed “to refer to the administrative jurisdiction” any mayoral decisions to fly Palestinian flags.
The announcement comes amid a heated debate both on social media and among politicians. Such figures as Jérôme Guedj accuse Faure of creating “a powerful malaise beyond the borders of the Jewish community.”
Over the past two years, several mayors have displayed flags on town halls, including those of Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel.
Prefectures in Seine-Saint-Denis and Hauts-de-Seine previously demanded the immediate removal of Palestinian flags from town halls in Saint-Denis and Gennevilliers.
Étienne Colson, a public law lawyer, noted that “no legal status is attached” to flag displays, even for French or European flags, though the practice has become widespread.
Based on the principle of “neutrality of public services”, flying foreign or political flags on town halls is generally prohibited in France.
In Nice, the court rejected a citizen challenge regarding Israeli flags in May 2024, while Mayor Christian Estrosi eventually had to remove the flags despite initial plans to keep them until the return of the last Israeli hostage.The row takes place amid reports of rising antisemitism in France.
