PARIS — France’s interior ministry has ordered prefects to oppose the display of Palestinian flags on town halls and other public buildings next week when Paris is set to formally recognize the Palestinian state.

“The principle of neutrality in public service prohibits such displays,” the interior ministry said in a telegram, a copy of which was seen by AFP on Friday.

Any decisions by mayors to fly the Palestinian flag should be referred to courts, the interior ministry said.

Israel’s war on Gaza is a hot-button issue in France, and several French mayors have already announced their intention to display the Palestinian flag on their town halls next week.

On Monday, France is set to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly.

The warning from the inte

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