Vénissieux mayor removes Palestinian flag after prefecture intervention

Idir Boumertit, the mayor of Vénissieux representing La France Insoumise (LFI), installed a Palestinian flag on the facade of the City Hall on Tuesday. Boumertit described the act as a “protocol gesture” to commemorate the anniversary of France’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Rhône Prefecture intervened, citing the principle of neutrality of public services, which prohibits displaying signs that symbolize political, religious, or philosophical opinions on public buildings. The prefecture threatened to refer the matter to the administrative court, noting a recent legal precedent in Vaulx-en-Velin where a mayor was ordered to remove a similar flag.

The flag was removed on Wednesday morning. While the prefecture claimed responsibility for the withdrawal, Boumertit stated he had rejected state injunctions and removed the flag himself as planned, once the commemorative period had concluded.