Copenhagen nears naming ‘Palestine Square’

A majority in Copenhagen’s City Council voted on Thursday evening to proceed with the proposal to name an area in Nørrebro ‘Palestinas Plads.’ Parties including Enhedslisten, SF, Alternativet, and Radikale, with 29 out of 55 votes, have moved the contentious naming closer to realization. Following public consultation, the Technical and Environmental Committee will review it again, possibly finalizing adoption in 2025. The proposal, initially presented last year, was postponed following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7. Passed by the Committee on September 16 amid opposition citing the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, it was brought to the full council due to the so-called stopping rule. The Mayor for Technical and Environmental Affairs, Line Barfod, argues it addresses long-standing discussions among Copenhageners with Palestinian heritage. Meanwhile, Venstre and Dansk Folkeparti lodged complaints with the Appeals Board, arguing the matter has a foreign policy dimension not within the Council’s purview.