Almost two dozen town halls in France were on Monday flying the Palestinian flag from their entrances in defiance of an interior ministry warning not to do so ahead of the recognition of a Palestinian state by President Emmanuel Macron.

The president is due to recognise a Palestinian state in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, following up on a pledge he made in the summer that angered Israel.

However hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who is also leader of the right-wing Republicans Party, has last week issued a circular ordering prefects — the top local state-appointed officials — to oppose the flying of the flags.

“The principle of neutrality in public service prohibits such displays,” the interior ministry said, adding that any decisions by m

See Full Page