Why is a Palestinian flag flying outside Worcester City Hall? Here's what to know
WORCESTER — A Palestinian flag is flying outside Worcester City Hall and those who requested that it fly there say it's a message of peace amidst the deadly war between Israel and Hamas.
"It's a symbol of peace. A message of hope," said Tahir Ali with the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester. The society made the formal request to raise and display the flag on the city's cultural flagpole, said Ali. It appeared on the pole Thursday and is expected to come down a week later, according to a city spokesman.
It follows a one-week display last month of the Israeli flag on the same flagpole days after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants that sparked the conflict. The Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts requested the Israeli flag appear on the pole.
City government has a formal process for flags displayed on the pole including that it's done in a "consistent and appropriate manner," according to the city's website. Requests are considered on a first-come-first-serve basis and the city's human rights policy guides decisions for permitting the display of cultural flags.
Flags are typically displayed for a one-day period, according to the city's website.
Konstantin Grebelsky, who reached out to a reporter, said it's important to raise both the Israeli and Palestinian flags. The Shrewsbury resident is Jewish, immigrated to the U.S. from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the 1990s and preferred if both the Israel and Palestine flags flew together outside City Hall.
"Flying both flags at (the) same time would be better. Having an understanding of the conflict, rather than separation," Grebelsky said.
However, the city doesn't fly two flags simultaneously on one flagpole, a city spokesman said.
The death toll on the Israeli side is more than 1,400, with most killed in the initial attack by Hamas. More than 200 hostages were taken by the militant group.
More than 10,000 Palestinians – including 4,100 children and 2,640 women – have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
More: Israeli troops poised to enter Gaza City; Rafah crossing to partially reopen: Live updates
President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to pause its strikes to allow more humanitarian aide into Gaza.
When asked what it will take to put an end to the war, Grebeskly said Hamas needs to release the Israeli hostages. He also repeated his belief that both flags deserve to fly outside City Hall and feels local Palestinians have the right to express their concerns about the war.
"I hope they support the Palestinian cause, rather than Hamas," he said.
Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Why is a Palestinian flag flying outside Worcester City Hall?
