Paris mayor to propose granting honorary citizenship to Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has proposed granting honorary citizenship to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as to Palestinian journalists. This initiative aims to express the city's solidarity with civilian populations enduring a severe humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

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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.

Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar is scheduled to present the proposal to the Paris Council in June for a vote. Grégoire stated that, similar to actions taken for Kyiv and Nagorno-Karabakh, Paris is standing for the rights and voices of those suffering, while defending peace, international law, and the two-state solution. His office emphasized that Paris aligns itself with the freedom of peoples and human dignity, choosing civilians over violence and life over destruction.

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Through this gesture, the Mayor of Paris expresses the city's solidarity with civilian populations suffering a horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza and the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

The proposal is expected to gain support from the city's left-wing governing coalition and environmentalist groups. The mayor's office highlighted the significant price paid by Palestinian reporters on the ground, stating that honoring them means upholding the fundamental right of societies to know the truth. Grégoire met with the ambassador of Palestine on April 21 to strengthen cooperation between Paris and the Palestinian territories.

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Paris has always associated its name with the freedom of peoples and with human dignity. It chooses civilians over violence, law over arbitrariness, and life over destruction.

Ambassador Hala Abou Hassira noted that the gesture reflects Paris' commitment to the Palestinian people, respect for international law, and a just and lasting peace. Grégoire also reiterated his condemnation of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

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Palestinian reporters on the ground have paid a considerable price. Honoring them means honoring the fundamental right of societies to know the truth.