Palestinian flag

Palestinian flag
Name	Palestinian flag
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	1964 (as emblem of Palestine Liberation Organization); 1988 (declared by State of Palestine)
Design	Horizontal triband of black, white, and green with a red triangle at the hoist
Designer	Based on the flag of the Arab Revolt (1916–1918); attributed to Arab nationalist leaders and designers associated with the Hashemite dynasty and Sharif Hussein ibn Ali

Palestinian flag. The Palestinian flag is a tricolour banner combining black, white, and green horizontal bands with a red chevron at the hoist. It traces its visual lineage to the Arab Revolt flag and has been used by nationalist and liberation movements including the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Palestinian National Council, and the State of Palestine. The emblem functions as a national, political, and cultural symbol across Palestinian civil society, diasporic communities, and international diplomatic contexts involving entities such as the United Nations and regional organizations like the Arab League.

History

The flag’s origins derive from the pan-Arab colours codified during early 20th-century Arab nationalist movements linked to figures such as Sharif Hussein ibn Ali, the Hashemite dynasty, and activists participating in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Variants were adopted by emergent Arab states including the Kingdom of Iraq and the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem in differing forms; later, the design informed flags of administrations and movements like the All-Palestine Government (1948) and political organizations within Mandatory Palestine (British Mandate). In 1964 the flag was officially used by the Palestine Liberation Organization after decisions within the Palestinian National Council; in 1988 it was raised again following the proclamation by the Palestine Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the State of Palestine institutions. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries the banner featured prominently in events including the First Intifada and the Second Intifada, and has been present during diplomatic recognitions by states such as Sweden and legislative bodies like the European Parliament.

Design and Symbolism

The flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes—black (top), white (middle), green (bottom)—with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist. The palette mirrors the pan-Arab colours historically associated with dynasties and movements: black often connects to the Abbasid Caliphate, white to the Umayyad Caliphate, green to the Fatimid Caliphate, and red to the Hashemite dynasty and revolutionary struggle. Designers and advocates framed these associations in the context of Arab nationalism, linking the banner visually to the symbolism used by states such as the Kingdom of Jordan and the Syrian Republic (1930–58). Official specifications used by institutions like the Palestine Liberation Organization and later the Palestinian National Authority define proportions and colour shades for consistent reproduction in diplomatic missions and public buildings.

Variants and Usage

Several variants appear in political, municipal, and organizational contexts. The plain civil and national banner is widely displayed by the Palestinian National Authority and the State of Palestine; the Palestine Liberation Organization and factions within it have used versions incorporating emblems, inscriptions, or different canton treatments. Local authorities in Ramallah, Gaza City, and Hebron often adapt proportions for municipal flags; diaspora communities in places like Amman, Beirut, Cairo, London, and New York City use variants at demonstrations, cultural centers, and commemorations. Military or paramilitary uses by groups such as Fatah and other factions have included the flag alongside organizational insignia. Internationally, the flag has been flown at events organized by bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly when host states or local legislatures grant permission, and it appears on currency, passports, and postage issued by authorities that recognize the State of Palestine.

Legal Status and Official Recognition

Legal recognition of the flag varies by jurisdiction. The State of Palestine and entities recognizing Palestinian statehood formally adopt the banner for diplomatic and governmental use; some states that recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization prior to 1988 treated the flag as a symbol of a national liberation movement rather than a sovereign state. Parliaments and municipal councils in countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Sweden have debated protocols for raising the flag alongside national banners, while legislative bodies like the United States Congress and the UK Parliament have considered gestures of recognition reflecting differing legal and diplomatic stances. International organizations including the United Nations accord the flag varying statuses—its visibility at UN offices followed procedural decisions linked to observer status for the Palestine Liberation Organization and later the State of Palestine.

Cultural and Political Significance

The flag functions as a potent emblem of identity across Palestinian society, resonating in literature, visual arts, music, and commemorative practices involving figures such as Yasser Arafat and institutions like the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. It appears in cultural productions referencing events like the Nakba and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, and it features in street art across cities including Ramallah and Gaza City. International solidarity movements—from anti-apartheid campaigns to contemporary activist networks—have incorporated the flag in demonstrations, festivals, and academic forums at universities such as Birzeit University and Al-Quds University. The banner also figures in controversies over desecration, display bans, and policing in jurisdictions including Israel, France, and Germany, making it a focal point in legal cases and diplomatic protests.

Protocol and Flag Etiquette

Standards for use are issued by Palestinian authorities and organizations, advising on display order, raising and lowering procedures, and correct treatment alongside other national flags such as those of Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon. Etiquette norms prescribe that the flag not be allowed to touch the ground, should be flown from sunrise to sunset unless illuminated, and that damaged flags be replaced—practices mirrored in ceremonial uses during state visits, funerals for leaders like Yasser Arafat, and memorial days including Nakba Day. Municipal regulations in cities such as Ramallah and protocols at diplomatic missions determine mounting, half-masting, and joint-display arrangements with host-country banners.

Category:Flags of Asia Category:National symbols