Lyon ordered to remove Palestinian flag after French court ruling
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The ruling follows France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and growing tensions over municipal displays of solidarity.
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Demonstrators participate in a protest, responding to a call from the far-left party who criticized as a power grab the president's appointment of a conservative new prime minister, Michel Barnier, in Lyon, central France, Saturday, Sept 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
The city of Lyon announced on Thursday that it would remove the Palestinian flag from its town hall following a court order enforcing government neutrality rules.
Earlier this week, Lyon had raised the flag as part of a wider municipal gesture of solidarity after President Emmanuel Macron officially recognized the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. However, the administrative tribunal ruled that the move constituted "a serious attack on the neutrality of government services."
The decision came after the prefecture of the Rhône department, acting on instructions from the Interior Ministry, filed a complaint against the city. Macron’s government had already instructed municipalities not to fly the Palestinian flag, warning that such displays risked inflaming tensions and undermining civil service neutrality.
Lyon’s city hall, governed by the Green Party, said it would comply with the ruling but emphasized that it "reserves the right to appeal."
France's recognition of Palestine sparks reactions
France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, announced on September 22, 2025, has triggered strong political and social reactions across the country. While Macron positioned the decision as a diplomatic effort to pressure "Israel" over its war on Gaza, the move highlighted France’s deep societal divides.
With around half a million Jews and a large Muslim population, France hosts communities that remain highly sensitive to developments in West Asia. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau argued that the display of Palestinian flags on public buildings risked fueling tensions between communities.
Despite the government's stance, Lyon was one of over 80 French municipalities, including Nantes, Rennes, and Besançon, that defied the directive by raising the Palestinian flag at their town halls.
Lyon’s history of Palestinian solidarity
Lyon has long been a focal point of Palestinian solidarity in France. The city regularly hosts demonstrations organized by groups such as Collectif 69 Palestine, including major rallies departing from Place des Terreaux. In June 2025, protesters marched through the city, citing UN reports on evidence of genocide in Gaza.
Local activism has also extended to universities, where students have staged sit-ins and blockades demanding a Gaza ceasefire. Palestinian flags and banners have also been displayed during larger nationwide protests.
Critics of the ban on Palestinian flags note the double standard, pointing out that Ukrainian flags had been displayed on public buildings in previous years without similar restrictions.
