FOA is not surprised by the news that Israel’s new security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has banned the Palestine flag. It is in keeping with the far-right policies of this new Israeli government.

This latest move is a very serious attack on Palestinian identity and freedom. Just one week after Ben-Gvir’s highly provocative visit to Al-Aqsa, it is a highly concerning sign of what is to come with Israel’s new far-right government of extremists.

The current Israeli government is led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who openly stated in 2019 that “Israel is not a state of all its citizens… Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people – and only it”. Security minister Ben-Gvir has also claimed that “it’s okay to kill innocent civilians and destroy Gaza”.

“The Palestine flag represents resistance to 75 years of illegal occupation and Israel’s brutal apartheid regime. It is a symbol of Palestinian strength, resistance and self-determination” says Shamiul Joarder, Head of Public Affairs at FOA.

“FOA will now lift the Palestine flag higher than ever and encourages everyone who cares about injustice to do the same”.