France bans Palestinian flag amid protests

The French government has announced a ban on displaying the Palestinian flag at an upcoming UEFA Nations League match between France and Israel, set to take place under intensified security measures.

Paris Police Chief Laurent Nunez stated that only the French and Israeli flags will be permitted at the stadium, with fans expected to undergo stringent security screenings, including two rounds of identity verification.

The announcement comes as France aims to prevent unrest surrounding the match, following protests in Paris where hundreds rallied to show solidarity with Palestine and condemn the upcoming game against what they called “the Israeli occupation”.

Israel, meanwhile, has urged its citizens to avoid attending the match due to safety concerns.

These security measures follow a recent incident in Amsterdam, where fans of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly chanted racist slurs against Arabs, damaged private property, and assaulted Arab taxi drivers ahead of their game with Ajax.