A French councillor on Monday slammed a decision to dedicate one day of the French capital’s annual Paris Plages beach festivities to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, saying it sent "a very bad message" of support for Israeli policies.

Every summer, Paris turns the banks of the Seine into a makeshift beach known as Paris Plages and this year it has devoted each day to a famous beach around the world.

Left-wing councillor Danielle Simonnet reacted angrily to the idea that August 13 has been dubbed "Tel Aviv Sur Seine" after the Israeli beachside city.

"Paris is handing Israel a nice bit of PR on a plate," Simonnet told France Inter radio. "I fear it will go very badly and I think it sends a bad message."

france 24 - Tel Aviv beach day in Paris causes political uproar - France 24

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