French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan has acknowledged removing an Israeli flag from an exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, prompting criticism from European lawmakers and a review by the institution’s leadership.
The incident occurred during an exhibition commemorating victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks, organized with the involvement of Israel’s diplomatic representation and the American Jewish Committee.
Hassan said she removed the Israeli flag as she was leaving the exhibition to protest what she described as Israel’s conduct in Gaza, violations of international law and a broader European “double standard” in its approach to Israel.
An EU flag attached to the same stand also fell during the incident. Hassan’s office said the European flag fell accidentally because the stand became unbalanced and maintained that neither flag was trampled on or damaged.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the institution was treating the incident “extremely seriously” and that appropriate procedures were underway, while preserving Hassan’s right to provide her account of what happened.
Hassan said her action followed a confrontation over the content and presentation of the exhibition. She alleged that Israeli artist Yaron Bob, whose work was displayed at the event, denied the existence of Palestinians and Palestine during their exchange.
Hassan also objected to material displayed at the exhibition that she said portrayed Israel as encompassing Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, arguing that this contradicted the European Union’s established diplomatic position.
She later said her decision to remove the Israeli flag was directed at Israel’s representation at the event rather than the victims being commemorated.
Hassan further compared the treatment of Israel with the European Parliament’s approach to Russia, arguing that a Russian flag would not receive equivalent treatment inside the institution.
Organisers and several European lawmakers strongly disputed her characterization of the incident and accused her of disrespecting an exhibition dedicated to October 7 victims.
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France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also called for disciplinary measures if the allegations against Hassan were established.
The controversy comes as divisions over the Gaza war continue to shape political debate inside European institutions three years after the October 7 attacks.
European governments and lawmakers remain divided over Israel’s military conduct in Gaza, recognition of Palestinian statehood and the extent to which the European Union should use political or economic pressure in its relations with Israel.
The Strasbourg incident has brought those disagreements into the European Parliament itself, while also raising a separate institutional question over conduct at an event commemorating victims of the October 7 attacks.
Parliament officials are reviewing available footage and Hassan’s explanation before deciding whether to impose disciplinary measures.
The dispute therefore reflects a wider challenge facing European diplomacy: maintaining a common position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as political divisions over Gaza, international law and Europe’s relationship with Israel become increasingly pronounced.
Anoush Taimur is an International Relations graduate from DHA Suffa University, Karachi, currently based in Doha. Her research interests include Gulf politics, small-state diplomacy, Global South studies and conflict
mediation. Her work examines how states create influence through connectivity, institutions and strategic relationships. She can be reached at [email protected]
