The mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, has granted honorary citizenship to civilians from Gaza and the West Bank, as well as to Palestinian journalists, in a move aimed at expressing solidarity amid ongoing conflict. The decision, announced Thursday during a Paris Council meeting, passed with a majority vote of 107 in favor, 41 against, and three abstentions. The proposal saw strong backing from the left-wing bloc, while facing notable opposition from right-wing council members.

Gregoire, who first revealed his intention to award the honorary citizenship in May, emphasized the gesture as more than symbolic. "The honorary citizenship of Paris is not a symbol: it is a commitment," he said during a ceremony that included the participation of the Palestinian and Jordanian ambassadors. He addressed the hardships faced by Palestinian civilians, acknowledging families, children, medical professionals treating injured victims, educators maintaining classes in war-torn environments, and journalists covering the conflict.

The mayor highlighted the role cities can play when national governments remain silent on issues of human rights and conflict, stating, “When states fall silent, cities can remain guardians of principles. Today, Paris reaffirms that every human life is sacred.” Gregoire also drew parallels to past actions taken by Paris, citing the city's support for victims in Kyiv and Nagorno-Karabakh, and reaffirmed the city's commitment to peace, international law, and the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

The official notice on the Paris City website connected the latest honorary citizenship grants to previous recognitions, including Israeli hostages held by Hamas who were honored earlier this year, as well as symbolic events such as the projection of Palestinian and Israeli flags onto the Eiffel Tower following France’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine in September 2025.

For over two decades, Paris has regularly conferred honorary citizenship to individuals who face threats, imprisonment, or persecution due to their defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This latest resolution further extends the city’s tradition of supporting vulnerable populations caught in geopolitical strife.