European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has pledged to take "all appropriate steps" against a lawmaker who removed an Israeli flag from a memorial exhibition in Strasbourg, an incident that has reignited tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict within the institution.
Although Metsola did not name the MEP in her statement, the lawmaker was identified as Rima Hassan, a French member known for her pro-Palestinian activism. Hassan's office confirmed that she removed the Israeli flag during an exhibition commemorating the victims of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which was created by Israeli artist Yaron Bob.
According to parliamentary sources, Hassan confronted Bob, accusing him of presenting a "one-sided account" of the attack. The exhibition, which included objects said to be made from fragments of Israeli missiles, was held in cooperation with Israel's diplomatic representation.
Metsola's response
In a statement following the incident, Metsola said: "This house is a place where all of us must feel safe and secure and we reject in the strongest possible terms any action by any person that feels or makes anyone feels less protected." She added: "At a time of rising global antisemitism, we owe it to Europe's Jewish community to ensure that when they look at us, they see that this is their house too."
Metsola said she would take "all appropriate steps," including "the right of the person to be heard." An official in her office told Euronews that the Parliament's presidency is reviewing surveillance footage to assess the incident and decide on the penalty. A decision is not expected during the current plenary session.
Hassan, who was born stateless in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, is one of France's most prominent pro-Palestinian voices. She is currently on trial in France over alleged online remarks deemed to constitute apology for terrorism, and Israeli authorities have accused her of being associated with Hamas.
In a statement from her office, Hassan acknowledged removing the Israeli flag but claimed the EU flag, attached to the same base, fell due to imbalance. She insisted that "no flag was stepped on or damaged" and that her gesture was directed solely at the event's organisation with Israel's diplomatic representation, where items presented as made from Israeli missile fragments were offered for sale.
The incident drew sharp criticism from fellow MEPs. Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno of the Socialists and Democrats said: "Not even in the face of tragedy, her antisemitism can be put aside. Shame on her." Renew Europe's Nathalie Loiseau and European Conservatives and Reformists' Nicola Procaccini also condemned Hassan on social media and in parliamentary statements.
Hassan could face a reprimand, temporary suspension from Parliament's activities, or suspension of her daily allowance of €350 per day for up to sixty days. The incident comes amid broader debates in Europe about the Israel-Hamas conflict and its impact on European societies, including student protests in France and elsewhere over various issues.
The European Parliament has often been a stage for political gestures, but this episode underscores the deep divisions the Middle East conflict continues to provoke across the continent. As Metsola emphasised, the institution's commitment to safety and security for all members remains a priority, even as it navigates these contentious waters.
