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Paris mayor grants city honor to civilians of Gaza, West Bank

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • The Mayor of Paris has granted honorary citizenship to civilians of Gaza and the West Bank, including Palestinian journalists.
  • This honor, traditionally given to human rights defenders, signifies Paris's commitment to those suffering and defending fundamental freedoms.
  • The decision was supported by a majority in the Paris City Council, reaffirming the city's stance on human rights and international law.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire has granted honorary citizenship of the city to the civilians of Gaza and the West Bank, along with Palestinian journalists. This significant gesture, confirmed following a Paris Council meeting, aligns with the city's long-standing tradition of honoring individuals who are "threatened, imprisoned, or prosecuted because they defend human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The honorary citizenship of Paris is not a symbol; it is a commitment. To the civilians of Gaza and the West Bank, to the families, to the children, to the doctors who treat the wounds of war, to the teachers who hold classes amid the rubble, to the journalists who seek to report on this deadly conflict: Paris tells you that you are honorary citizens of our city.

— Emmanuel GregoireMayor of Paris, explaining the significance of granting honorary citizenship to Palestinians.

The proposal received strong support from the left-wing bloc and faced opposition from the Right, but ultimately passed with a majority of 107 votes to 41, with 3 abstentions. During a ceremony marking the occasion, Gregoire hosted the Ambassador of Palestine and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Jordan. He stated that the honorary citizenship is "a commitment" to the people of Gaza and the West Bank, including families, children, doctors treating war wounds, teachers working amid rubble, and journalists reporting on the conflict.

"When states fall silent, cities can remain guardians of principles," Gregoire declared. "Today, Paris reaffirms that every human life is sacred." He drew parallels to Paris's previous actions, such as honoring Kyiv and Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that Paris stands for the rights and voices of those suffering while defending peace, international law, and the two-state solution.

When states fall silent, cities can remain guardians of principles. Today, Paris reaffirms that every human life is sacred.

— Emmanuel GregoireMayor of Paris, emphasizing the role of cities in upholding principles when states remain silent.

The Paris City Council previously granted honorary citizenship to Israeli hostages held by Hamas in February 2024. Following France's recognition of the state of Palestine in September 2025, both Palestinian and Israeli flags were projected onto the Eiffel Tower. The official announcement on the Paris City website noted these past actions, reinforcing the city's consistent engagement with humanitarian causes and international political developments.

As we did for Kyiv and Nagorno-Karabakh, Paris stands for the rights and voices of those who are suffering while defending peace, international law, and the two-state solution.

— Emmanuel GregoireMayor of Paris, drawing parallels to previous actions and reaffirming Paris's commitment to human rights and international law.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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