French MPs appeared in Parliament today dressed in black, red, white and green, the colors of the Palestinian flag, in protest over the French government’s insistence on its refusal to recognize the Palestinian state now.

Blood flared when MP for the France Insubordinate (radical left) party, Russel Keque, raised a Palestinian flag inside the chamber. Parliament Speaker Yael Bron-Pivet immediately recalled her to class, imposing a verbal reprimand on her, the maximum penalty provided by regulation. He also decided to adjourn the meeting.

The chamber of the Parliament is “a space for democratic debates and MPs express themselves exclusively through speech,” insisted the president.

“As far as the bilateral recognition of the State of Palestine is concerned, France’s position is (…) clear. The President of the Republic (Emmanuel Macron) reminded her, it is not a taboo,” commented Jean-Noel Barot, the minister responsible for European affairs. “This decision should be useful. As the Prime Minister (Gabriel Atal) said last week, in recent weeks there have been recognitions (of the Palestinian state) without providing a solution to the conflict,” he added.

Spain, Ireland and Norway last week recognized the state of Palestine, angering Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

In “response” to the clothes in the colors of the Palestinian flag worn by the deputies of the radical left, but also the environmentalists and the communists, the deputies of the right and the presidential party “Renaissance” wore tricolor scarves, in the colors of the French flag.

Many MPs from the presidential majority expressed their disapproval when speaking to reporters. “This is a politics of spectacle, they do not promote peace even one millimeter,” commented “Renaissance” MP Mathieu Lefebvre, who is also president of the France-Israel friendship group.

“After what happened (in Rafah) it was important to express our support to the Palestinian people. It is possible to have another voice in France, to express ourselves with symbols like these,” said environmentalist Sabrina Sembai, who wore a green dress, black jacket and a Palestinian headscarf around her neck.

Immediately after the episode, the MPs in all the benches sang the national anthem and the session continued after the tones fell.