PARIS: French authorities have arrested six people suspected of unfurling a Palestinian flag from the Eiffel Tower without permission, a police source said Saturday.

Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion France claimed responsibility for draping the large flag from the tower’s first floor on Friday afternoon.

A representative said it was sending a “message of support” to Palestinians, accusing Israel of carrying out “massacres” in Gaza, as well as “ecocide crimes” including uprooting olive trees on Palestinian land.

It was set to coincide with Nakba Day, commemorating the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel.

The flags of both Israel and Palestine, as well as peace images of a dove and olive branch, were in September projected onto the Eiffel Tower, ahead of France recognising the Palestinian state.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026