French Deputy suspended for waving Palestine flag in National Assembly
Sebastien Delogu's deputy pay was halved for two months.
France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday suspended a deputy from the Les Insoumis (LFI) party for 15 days after he waved a Palestinian flag in the National Assembly, causing proceedings to halt for about an hour.
"This is not tolerable," declared National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet as she suspended the session and excluded Deputy Sebastien Delogu. Delogu's deputy pay was also halved for two months.
🔴⚡️ @SebastienDelogu a été exclu 15 jours pour avoir brandi le drapeau Palestinien à l'Assemblée.
— Groupe parlementaire La France Insoumise - NUPES (@FiAssemblee) May 28, 2024
C'est la plus haute sanction possible pour un député, la même qu'a reçu le raciste De Fournas.
Nous ne cesserons jamais de dénoncer le génocide en cours à Gaza.#SoutienDelogu ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tzdmew0aJZ
The incident occurred as Delogu waved the flag in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israeli genocide on the Gaza Strip, which has so far claimed the lives of over 36,000 people.
"I waved the Palestinian flag in the National Assembly ... because as I speak, France sells weapons, sells parts to supply the Israeli army," Delogu told reporters. "There is a genocide going on there."
Sébastien Delogu vient d’être exclu de l’assemblée nationale avec effet immédiat et escorté par la sécurité vers la sortie pour avoir brandi un drapeau palestinien dans l’hémicycle. pic.twitter.com/PUn4e4af5E
— Taha Bouhafs (@T_Bouhafs) May 28, 2024
The disruption happened while Junior Trade Minister Franck Riester was responding to a question about the situation in Gaza. The Israeli aggression on Gaza has led to global condemnation due to the high civilian toll. France's LFI has positioned itself as a staunch defender of the Palestinians amidst this genocide.
France has previously denied that it supplies parts for weaponry to the Israeli regime. However, several investigations have uncovered otherwise.
Read more: France urges 'Israel' to halt Rafah invasion immediately