Israeli Minister Slams EU Lawmaker Over Removed Israeli Flag

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sharply criticized French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan on Tuesday for removing an Israeli flag from an exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The exhibition was dedicated to the victims of the October 7th attacks. Saar called the act "shameful, scandalous, but unfortunately not surprising," adding that Hassan's actions demonstrated a "profound lack of respect for the institution in which she serves."

Saar praised other parliament members who condemned the incident and thanked European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for her "determination" and for clarifying that such an offense would be treated with the "utmost severity."

Hassan, a member of the "Rebellious France" party and the left-wing bloc in the European Parliament, has been at the center of a controversy since Monday. Other MEPs accused her of pulling down Israeli and European Union flags displayed at the exhibition and even stepping on them.

Vice President of the European Parliament Pina Picierno stated that Hassan "desecrated" the exhibition and stepped on two flags. French MEP François-Xavier Bellamy also accused her of removing the flags.

However, Hassan's office provided a different account to AFP. Her staff confirmed she removed the Israeli flag while leaving the exhibition but claimed the EU flag, attached to the same stand, fell due to an imbalance. They asserted that "no flag was trampled or damaged." Her office stated the act was intended as a protest against Israeli government policy, not to harm or disrespect the victims of October 7th.

President Metsola stated she is taking the allegations "very seriously" and that appropriate procedures are being followed, including allowing Hassan to present her version of events. A parliamentary spokesperson confirmed the incident is under investigation, and a source told AFP that disciplinary action will be decided after hearing Hassan's testimony.