Malakoff: A French administrative court has mandated the town hall of Malakoff, located in Hauts-de-Seine, to take down a Palestinian flag from its premises. This decision comes just days before France is anticipated to officially recognize the State of Palestine.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Cergy-Pontoise administrative court issued this ruling following directives from the Interior Ministry. The ministry had urged prefects to contest the display of Palestinian flags on municipal buildings and to escalate the issue to the courts.

Malakoff Mayor Jacqueline Belhomme, a member of the French Communist Party (PCF), disclosed that the flag was hoisted on Friday evening as a gesture to 'welcome France's decision to officially recognize' Palestinian statehood. This announcement from President Emmanuel Macron is expected on Monday, September 22. Despite police intervention on Friday evening, ordered by Hauts-de-Seine prefect Alexandre Brug¨re, Mayor Belhomme refused to remove the flag.

In a statement released earlier on Saturday, the Malakoff town hall criticized what it termed a 'prefectural coup.' The statement lamented the 'delays that did not allow the city to present its defense, or even to be represented at the hearing.' The municipality also raised concerns about the legitimacy of Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who resigned earlier this week, in making such decisions. It highlighted a perceived 'difference in treatment' compared to Ukrainian flags displayed on municipal buildings since Russia's 2022 invasion.

Retailleau had sent a telegram to prefects on Friday, instructing them to oppose municipal decisions to display Palestinian flags. He emphasized the principle of public service neutrality, which the ministry reiterated, prohibiting such displays and urging prefects to take these cases to administrative courts.