France: City Hall in St-Denis Raises Palestinian Flag

St-Denis is a municipality in the greater Paris area and is heavily populated by Muslims. Today’s Le Figaro is reporting that the St-Denis City Hall has decided to raise the Palestinian flag on its facade and is also urging its constituents to participate in a Paris demonstration against Israel organized by a coalition of unions..

The below article from Le Figaro is translated by Fousesquawk.

Saint-Denis City Hall raises the Palestinian flag on the facade and calls for a demonstration in Paris

By Solene Vary

11 hours ago

The municipal team calls on its residents to mobilize on Saturday on the occasion of the Paris demonstration organized by the inter-union to denounce “the deadly headlong rush by the Israeli authorities”.

The St-Denis City Hall is reiterating its support for the Palestinian cause. After recent votes by the municipal council on two resolutions, one for a cease-fire in Gaza, the other for the recognition of a Palestinian state by France, socialist councilor Mathieu Hanotin, “reaffirms its attachment to human rights, peace, and justice,”. He has thus decided to raise the Palestinian flag on Friday, June 13 on the front of City Hall. 

In a press release, the municipality justifies its symbolic initiative by describing the chaotic situation in Gaza. “Nothing justifies preventing civilians from accessing health care or food,” it reads. The text also denounces “the Israeli military offensive,” which, “combined with the total siege on the Gaza Strip,” has caused, “the massive destruction of infrastructure, the paralysis of hospitals, and the deaths of tens of thousands of people”.

Demonstration called for by the interunion organization

This action is aimed at supporting the international mobilization, but particularly, the Paris demonstration, scheduled this Saturday afternoon at Place de Republique. Several unions (CFDT, CGT, UNSA, Solidaire, and FSU) called for a gathering the middle of this week to “denounce the headlong rush of the Israeli authorities and abuses committed in Gaza.” Among their persistent demands: “An immediate cease-fire in Gaza and unhindered access to humanitarian aid”. The St Denis City Hall is urging its constituents to participate in this moment “of fraternity.”