On Sunday evening, the Eiffel Tower in Paris lit up in white, while a screen mounted on it displayed the flags of Palestine and Israel, separated by a dove symbolizing peace, on the monument.

This comes as a number of French mayors plan to raise Palestinian flags on municipal buildings today, in defiance of government instructions, while France prepares to officially recognize a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly meetings, according to foreign agencies.

It is not yet clear how many cities will take part in this initiative today, after Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure called for the flags to be raised, despite warnings from the Interior Ministry against such steps in a country that is home to both the largest Jewish and the largest Muslim communities in Europe. However, the call has gained momentum with the growing display of Palestinian flags in France during the ongoing war in Gaza, now approaching two years.

Palestinian banners were also raised at demonstrations held this week during a day of nationwide protests against several policies of French President Emmanuel Macron and his government.