Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog discusses the pause in fighting, responds to international criticism and calls for a cease-fire, and sends a message to U.S. lawmakers regarding aid packages. North Andover, Massachusetts, officials approved a permit Monday, allowing a Palestinian flag to be flown on the North Andover Town Common, according to reports.
Boston 25 News reported that the black, white, red, and green flag was raised Tuesday morning and will remain in place until Dec. 7. The decision has sparked a heated debate among residents, highlighting concerns over equal representation and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Residents attended a board meeting that had to be rescheduled because of reported “threats of litigation as well as public safety concerns,” both in favor and opposition of the flag being put on display on town property. One resident, Salma Boulal, attended the meeting and argued that if Israel gets to fly its flag in the North Andover common, Palestinians deserve the same right.
To ensure order was upheld, police were present at the meeting in large numbers. Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues reportedly said an application to fly the flag was submitted to the town Oct. 16, about six hours before town officials updated its policy on flying flags.
Under the new policy, the use of the flagpole is limited to statements of governmental speech, which aligns with a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shurtleff v. Boston. Rodrigues wrote, “According to the decision in the Shurtleff case, the Town may not prohibit a flag to be flown based on its content, its meaning, or its message. This limitation on the Select Board’s discretion indicates that denial of a resident’s flag application under the prior policy places the Town in jeopardy of legal action.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have gained momentum across the country, with various cities and towns allowing the Palestinian flag to be raised in public spaces. Last week, Worcester, the second-largest city in Massachusetts, flew the Palestinian flag in front of City Hall. Similarly, North Andover had previously flown the Israeli flag in response to the recent Hamas attacks in Israel.
The decision to allow the Palestinian flag to fly in North Andover has sparked discussions about equal representation and the need to provide a platform for diverse voices. Critics argue that denying Palestinians the opportunity to display their flag infringes upon their right to free expression, while supporters maintain that the gesture is a symbolic show of solidarity.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and whether other towns and cities across the United States will follow suit in allowing the Palestinian flag to be flown in public spaces. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of addressing issues of representation and freedom of expression.
