Providence to Raise Palestinian Flag Over City Hall

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence City Council plans to raise the Palestinian flag over Providence City Hall on Friday, May 16, 2025. The noon ceremony marks a rare instance of a U.S. state capital displaying the Palestinian flag, drawing condemnation amid heightened tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Providence to Raise Palestinian Flag Over City Hall

City Council President Rachel Miller, who has a Palestinian flag displayed outside her office, will lead the event, which includes remarks from elected officials and community members. The flag-raising coincides with the 77th anniversary of Al-Nakba, the 1948 displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel, a commemoration highlighted by Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island in a social media post. Organizer Jackie Goldman called the event “momentous,” arguing that solidarity with Palestinians is not divisive but a stand for justice.

Mayor Brett Smiley labeled the move “divisive,” reflecting concerns raised during a heated city council meeting on Thursday. The Rhode Island Coalition for Israel sent an email blast condemning the event, alleging it glorifies Hamas, a claim supporters reject. Critics have called the flag-raising a “slap in the face to American values,” with one stating, “The only flags that should fly on state property are the Stars and Stripes and the city flag.”

Providence’s decision comes despite a decades-old Rhode Island law discouraging municipalities from flying foreign flags, though the city has previously raised flags of other nations, including the Dominican, Irish, Armenian, and Israeli flags, to honor its diverse communities. A city spokesperson noted that the Palestinian flag-raising responds to a community request to recognize Palestinian-Americans’ contributions to Providence’s cultural fabric.

The controversy underscores broader tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Supporters argue the flag-raising amplifies visibility for Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza, while opponents, including some councilors, urge the city to focus on local issues. The event has also drawn attention to the council’s chief of staff, June Rose, who has been arrested twice for anti-Israel protests, further fueling debate.

As Providence braces for the ceremony, the flag-raising highlights the delicate balance between cultural recognition and political sensitivities in a diverse city. With tensions high, all eyes will be on City Hall at noon.

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