France's interior ministry has ordered prefects to oppose the display of Palestinian flags on town halls and other public buildings next week when Paris is set to formally recognise the Palestinian state, reports FRANCE 24.
"The principle of neutrality in public service prohibits such displays," the interior ministry said in a telegram, a copy of which was seen by AFP on Friday.
Any decisions by mayors to fly the Palestinian flag should be referred to courts, the interior ministry said.
Israel's war on Gaza is a hot-button issue in France, and it is not uncommon to see flags hanging out of windows in Paris and elsewhere.
Several French mayors have already announced their intention to display the Palestinian flag on their town halls next week.
On Monday, France is set to formally recognise Palestine's statehood at the United Nations General Assembly.
The warning from the interior ministry came after Socialist leader Olivier Faure called for the Palestinian flag to be flown on town halls on Monday, when Jewish worshippers also celebrate the Rosh Hashanah holiday, the Jewish New Year.
However, the interior ministry said any such display would amount to "taking sides in an international conflict".
See more of this report from FRANCE 24.