Six Activists Detained for Unfurling Palestinian Flag on Eiffel Tower
French authorities detained six Extinction Rebellion activists who unfurled a large Palestinian flag on the Eiffel Tower to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. The individuals were arrested for unauthorized entry into a protected site and endangering public safety. The incident sparked political debate, with MEP Rima Hassan criticizing the arrests as a double standard compared to previous pro-Israel displays on the landmark. This protest highlights ongoing tensions regarding the Middle East conflict and its resonance within French domestic politics and civil activism.
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France Arrests Six for Hanging Palestinian Flag on Eiffel Tower
French authorities have arrested six individuals suspected of unauthorizedly displaying a large Palestinian flag on the Eiffel Tower. The activist group Extinction Rebellion France claimed responsibility for the act, which occurred on a Friday afternoon. The group stated that the demonstration was intended to send a message of support to Palestinians and to accuse Israel of committing massacres in Gaza and ecocide crimes, such as the uprooting of olive trees. The timing of the protest coincided with Nakba Day, which commemorates the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel. The article provides context regarding previous displays on the tower, including projections of Israeli and Palestinian flags in September 2023 and lighting with the Israeli flag in October 2023 following Hamas attacks. It also cites casualty figures from both sides of the ongoing conflict, noting over 72,700 deaths in Gaza according to local health ministries, while highlighting that violence continues despite a ceasefire.
Punch Newspapers - Latest NewsSix Arrested After Unfurling Palestinian Flag on Eiffel Tower
French authorities arrested six individuals on Friday after they climbed onto the roof of the Madame restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The group unfurled a large Palestinian flag, measuring 4 meters by 3 meters, to commemorate the anniversary of the Nakba, marking the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948. The action was claimed by the environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion. Police charged the detainees with unauthorized intrusion into a classified site and endangering the lives of others. They were taken into custody at the 7th district police station. Rima Hassan, a European Member of Parliament for La France Insoumise (LFI), publicly expressed support for the activists, criticizing the illumination of the Eiffel Tower in Israeli colors. The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m., drawing significant attention due to the iconic nature of the landmark and the political sensitivity of the gesture amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Le SoirFrance Arrests Six After Extinction Rebellion Drapes Palestinian Flag on Eiffel Tower
French police have arrested six individuals suspected of unauthorizedly displaying a large Palestinian flag on the Eiffel Tower. The climate activist group Extinction Rebellion France claimed responsibility for the act, which occurred on the afternoon of May 15, coinciding with Nakba Day, the commemoration of the 1948 displacement of Palestinians. A representative stated the protest was intended to send a message of support to Palestinians, accusing Israel of committing massacres in Gaza and ecocide crimes, such as the uprooting of olive trees. This incident adds to the symbolic history of the landmark, which previously displayed Israeli and Palestinian flags via projection in September 2023 ahead of France's recognition of the Palestinian state, and was lit with the Israeli flag in October 2023 following Hamas attacks. The article notes that despite an October ceasefire, violence continues in Gaza, with over 72,700 Palestinians reported killed by Israeli military operations and 1,221 Israelis killed in the initial Hamas attacks.
The Straits Times World NewsSix Detained After Palestinian Flag Unfurled on Eiffel Tower During Nakba Protest
Six individuals were detained in Paris after activists unfurled a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The incident occurred during a demonstration marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of Palestinians. According to reports, members of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion carried out the action. Police arrested the suspects on suspicion of entering a protected area without authorization and endangering public safety. A formal complaint is expected to be filed with prosecutors. The event triggered political debate, with French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan criticizing the arrests. She highlighted perceived double standards by referencing the illumination of the tower in Israeli colors after the October 2023 attacks, which did not result in arrests. The article notes previous symbolic displays on the monument, including simultaneous Palestinian and Israeli flags in 2025. The Nakba commemoration honors the more than 800,000 Palestinians displaced during the establishment of Israel.
Middle East MonitorSix Detained After Palestinian Flag Unfurled on Eiffel Tower During Nakba Protest
Six individuals were detained in Paris after activists unfurled a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The incident occurred during a demonstration marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of Palestinians. According to reports, members of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion carried out the action. Police arrested the suspects on suspicion of unauthorized entry into a protected area and endangering public safety. A formal complaint is expected to be filed with prosecutors. The event triggered political debate, with French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan criticizing the arrests. She highlighted perceived double standards by noting that the Eiffel Tower was previously illuminated in Israeli colors without similar legal consequences for organizers. The article contextualizes the protest within ongoing tensions related to the Gaza crisis and historical commemorations. It also references prior symbolic displays on the monument, including simultaneous Palestinian and Israeli flags in support of statehood initiatives. The Nakba anniversary remains a significant date for pro-Palestinian demonstrations globally, often drawing strong reactions from authorities and political figures in Europe.
Middle East MonitorSix Detained After Unfurling Palestinian Flag at Eiffel Tower for Nakba Anniversary
French authorities detained six activists from the group Extinction Rebellion after they unfurled a large Palestinian flag on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The protest was organized to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, referring to the displacement of Palestinians in 1948. Police officials stated that the individuals were arrested for entering a protected area without permission and endangering public safety. A complaint is expected to be filed with the prosecutor's office. The incident drew immediate political reaction from Rima Hassan, a French Member of European Parliament of Palestinian origin. Hassan criticized the detentions on social media, highlighting a perceived double standard by noting that former Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo was not detained when the Eiffel Tower was illuminated with Israeli flag colors following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Hassan also referenced a previous instance in September 2025 where both Palestinian and Israeli flags were displayed on the tower in support of President Emmanuel Macron's initiative to recognize the State of Palestine.
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