The figure represents a count by the Ministry of the Interior as of noon local time, so more are expected to join before Macron’s address to the UN General Assembly.

The gesture is symbolic, in a country with more than 34,000 municipalities, and at the same time a challenge to the resigning Interior Minister, conservative Bruno Retailleau, who instructed prefects to prevent the Palestinian flag from flying in town halls.

For the leader of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, Retailleau’s stance is “indecent.”

“I regret that the minister has nothing better to do than condemn mayors who fulfill their duty of solidarity,” the MP emphasized.

Macron will formalize France’s recognition of Palestine this afternoon, a move that Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, and San Marino are also expected to announce, following the announcements made yesterday by Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The day before, the iconic Eiffel Tower displayed the colors of the Palestinian and Israeli flags, in symphony with Paris’s call for a two-state solution.

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