The outgoing mayor of Hoboken is defending the decision to raise the Palestinian flag at City Hall.

Officials say the flag went up Tuesday but has since been taken down. Mayor Ravi Bhalla says the move was not a political statement.

Some Jewish residents expressed concern because the flag was raised on the anniversary of the first intifada, according to Mayor-elect Emily Jabbour.

Bhalla says Palestinian residents requested the flag and the city aims to recognize many cultures.