On Wednesday, May 14, the Palestinian flag was put on display in the Providence City Council Chambers. Additionally, the flag is scheduled to be displayed in front of City Hall for a short period on Friday. In Providence, the executive branch and the City Council are separate entities. The decision to raise the Palestinian flag on Friday was made by the Providence City Council, not by Mayor Brett Smiley’s office, though the Mayor did not block the request. The Jewish Alliance opposes the display of the flag as a political symbol used to divide our city.  

The timing of the flag display coincides with Nakba Day, which translates to “Day of Catastrophe” and commemorates what Palestinians view as a tragedy associated with the founding of the State of Israel. Nakba Day is not Palestinian Independence Day, nor is it internationally recognized. It is a deeply political observance and a pointed commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

At a time when symbols have the power to divide or unite, we believe our city leaders should work to foster understanding of both Jewish and Palestinian narratives. That includes affirming Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state in the historic homeland of the Jewish people, while also recognizing the human experiences of Palestinians. 

Following the horrific acts of terror carried out against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, we have witnessed a wave of local protests targeting Israel. While organizers often state their support for Palestinians and peace in Gaza, many of these demonstrations have included rhetoric that is not just critical of Israeli policy, but explicitly opposes the existence of the State of Israel. In some cases, this rhetoric has crossed into antisemitism. 

The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island remains committed to dialogue and peace for all those impacted by this painful conflict and welcome discussion with all leaders that share this same commitment. We will continue to advocate for all Israelis to live in peace and security in their ancestral homeland, and for the safety of Jews around the world.