Flag of Palestine

The national flag of Palestine is a powerful and evocative symbol of the Palestinian people's identity, their enduring struggle for self-determination, and their deep connection to their homeland. It represents a continuous narrative of resistance, resilience, and hope for a future state. While officially adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, its roots trace back to the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule in the early 20th century, making it a banner of pan-Arab unity as well as specific Palestinian aspirations.

Design and Dimensions

The flag of Palestine consists of three equal horizontal stripes (from top to bottom: black, white, and green) overlaid by a red triangle positioned at the hoist.

The official proportions of the flag are typically 1:2 (height to width), aligning with many other national flags and giving it a balanced, recognizable form.

Symbolism of the Colors and Elements

Each color and element on the Palestinian flag is rich with historical and cultural meaning, representing different aspects of Arab and Palestinian heritage:

• Black Stripe: The black stripe at the top symbolizes the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 AD), one of the largest caliphates in Islamic history, which represented a golden age of Arab power and influence. It also signifies mourning, resistance, and the oppression faced by the Palestinian people throughout their history.

• White Stripe: The white stripe in the middle represents the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 AD), which was the first great Muslim dynasty. It also embodies peace, purity, and optimism for the future, a hope for sovereignty and a peaceful existence.

• Green Stripe: The green stripe at the bottom symbolizes the Fatimid Caliphate (909-1171 AD), whose color green was a symbol of their dynasty, associated with the family of Prophet Muhammad. More broadly, it represents the fertile lands of Palestine, the prosperity, and the natural beauty of the homeland. It also signifies Islam itself.

• Red Triangle: The red triangle at the hoist is perhaps the most multifaceted symbol. It represents:

  • Hashemite Dynasty: Historically, it symbolizes the Hashemite dynasty (the ruling family of Hejaz, who led the Arab Revolt).

  • Arab Nationalism and Revolution: More universally, the red color stands for blood shed for freedom, revolution, and sacrifice in the pursuit of Arab liberation and unity. It encapsulates the long history of Arab uprisings against foreign rule and the ongoing Palestinian struggle.

  • Martyrdom and Resilience: For Palestinians, it specifically honors the martyrs who have fallen in their fight for freedom and signifies their unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.

History of Creation and Adoption

The Palestinian flag's history is deeply intertwined with the broader history of Arab nationalism and the specific narrative of the Palestinian people.

• Origins in the Arab Revolt (1916): The design of the Palestinian flag is largely based on the Flag of the Arab Revolt, which was raised by Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, in 1916 against Ottoman rule. This flag was designed by Mark Sykes, a British diplomat, and aimed to be a banner for the pan-Arab movement. The colors (black, white, green, and red) were chosen to represent the various Arab caliphates and dynasties, signifying a collective Arab identity and aspiration for independence.

• Adoption by the Palestine Liberation Organization (1964): After the Nakba (catastrophe) of 1948 and the subsequent dispersal of Palestinians, the need for a unified national symbol became paramount. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), founded in 1964, officially adopted this flag as the banner of the Palestinian people. This adoption formalized its status as a symbol of the Palestinian national movement and their quest for a sovereign state.

• Symbol of Resistance and Identity: Throughout the decades of Israeli occupation and the first Intifada (1987-1993), the flag became a powerful symbol of resistance and defiance. Displaying it was often prohibited by Israeli authorities, which only intensified its significance and adoption by Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the diaspora.

• Oslo Accords and Recognition (1993): Following the Oslo Accords in 1993, which led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the flag was explicitly allowed to be flown in areas under PA control. This marked a significant step towards its de facto recognition as the flag of a burgeoning Palestinian entity.

• UN Recognition (2015): On September 30, 2015, the flag of Palestine was raised at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, alongside the flags of member states. This historic event followed a UN General Assembly resolution to permit non-member observer states (like Palestine) to fly their flags, further cementing its international recognition as a symbol of the Palestinian state.

Significance for the Inhabitants

For the Palestinian people, both in their homeland and in the vast diaspora, the flag is a potent and emotionally charged symbol of identity, nationhood, and unwavering hope.

• National Identity and Unity: It serves as the primary visual representation of Palestinian national identity, uniting a people dispersed across various countries and territories. It transcends geographical boundaries, fostering a sense of shared heritage and purpose.

• Struggle for Self-Determination: The flag embodies the ongoing struggle for self-determination, statehood, and freedom from occupation. It is a constant reminder of their rights and aspirations.

• Martyrdom and Sacrifice: The red triangle, in particular, resonates with the profound sacrifices made by countless Palestinians in their quest for liberation. It represents the blood of martyrs and the collective commitment to their cause.

• Connection to Land: The green stripe, symbolizing the fertile lands, underscores the deep connection Palestinians have to their ancestral land, a connection that remains central to their identity even in exile.

• Hope for the Future: Despite the complex political realities, the flag carries a powerful message of hope and resilience. It represents the dream of a future sovereign Palestinian state, living in peace and dignity.

Interesting Facts

• Designed by a Briton: The original Arab Revolt flag, upon which the Palestinian flag is based, was reportedly designed by Mark Sykes, a British diplomat, as part of the strategy to encourage Arab revolt against the Ottomans during World War I.

• Shared Colors: The colors black, white, green, and red (Pan-Arab colors) are found in the flags of many other Arab nations, including Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq, and the UAE, reflecting a shared history of the Arab Revolt and pan-Arab nationalism.

• Illegal to Display (Historically): For many years under Israeli occupation, particularly before the Oslo Accords, displaying the Palestinian flag was illegal in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians would often substitute it with watermelons, whose colors (red, green, white, black seeds) represent the flag's colors, as a form of non-violent protest and coded expression of identity.

• First Palestinian Flag (1920s): Before the current design, various local flags were used. One of the earliest symbols was the "Flag of the Arab Kingdom of Syria" or "King Faisal's Flag," a similar design but without the red triangle extending across the entire hoist, which was briefly used in parts of Mandatory Palestine.

• Different Shades of Green: While generally described as "green," the exact shade can vary slightly. Historically, it's meant to represent a vibrant, fertile green, but it's not strictly standardized across all productions.

• Symbol of International Solidarity: The Palestinian flag has become a powerful symbol of international solidarity with the Palestinian cause, frequently displayed at demonstrations and rallies worldwide.

• No Star or Emblem: Unlike many other flags that incorporate stars, crescents, or national emblems, the Palestinian flag's power lies in its simplicity and the strong historical meaning of its basic color blocks.

• UN Headquarters Display: The raising of the Palestinian flag at the UN Headquarters in 2015 was a landmark moment, seen by many as a significant symbolic victory for Palestinian statehood efforts.

In the demonstration images, full-size flags are shown with proportions of 2:3, and hand-held flags with proportions of 1:2.