French politicians bickered on Sunday over whether it is appropriate to hoist Palestinian flags outside town halls on the eve of the country’s planned recognition of the State of Palestine.

Ahead of the landmark move, set to be finalised at the United Nations General Assembly in New York starting Monday, the government told town halls not to fly the flag and take down any Palestinian banners that they had already put up.

Hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau argued that the hoisting of Palestinian flags “seriously undermines the principle of neutrality of public services”.

His office has urged local prefects to take the matter to the administrative courts — though they cannot order the police to take the flags down.

But Socialist leader Olivier Faure — whose party’s support Franc

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