French authorities have arrested six individuals accused of flying a Palestinian flag from the Eiffel Tower without official permission, according to a police source.
The incident occurred on Friday when climate activist group Extinction Rebellion France claimed responsibility for displaying the large Palestinian flag from the first floor of the iconic Paris landmark.
A representative of the group said the action was intended as a “message of support” for Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The activist group accused Israel of carrying out “massacres” in Gaza and alleged environmental destruction, including the uprooting of olive trees on Palestinian land.
The demonstration coincided with Nakba Day, an annual commemoration marking the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of the Israeli state in 1948.
The Eiffel Tower has previously been used as a symbol of solidarity during major international events and conflicts.
In September, projections of both the Israeli and Palestinian flags, alongside peace symbols such as a dove and olive branch, were displayed on the monument ahead of France’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
Earlier, in October 2023, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated with the Israeli flag following attacks carried out by Hamas that triggered the war in Gaza.
According to official Israeli figures compiled by AFP, the October 2023 attacks killed 1,221 people, most of them civilians.
Palestinian health authorities in Gaza say Israeli military operations launched in response have resulted in the deaths of more than 72,700 people, the majority reported to be civilians.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October, violence has continued in Gaza, with both the Israeli military and Hamas accusing each other of violating the truce.
French authorities have yet to announce possible charges against the six arrested individuals as investigations continue.
