Staff Reports
What’s the deal with all the watermelons at pro-Palestinian rallies? It may seem strange, especially since Gaza is not exactly known for its agricultural success. After Hamas forcefully took over the region in 2007, they turned Gaza into a Jihadi nightmare, gunning down members of the Fatah Party and creating chaos. But believe it or not, watermelons actually have a history of Palestinian nationalism dating back to the Six-Day War in 1967.
So, That's Why All Those Pro-Hamas Signs Have Watermelons on Them https://t.co/wJ0YMDRRHN
— YPORTBILL (@yportbill) November 17, 2023
During that conflict, Israel grew three times in size by defeating Jordan, Syria, and Egypt, and capturing important territories like Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. As a result, displaying the Palestinian flag was strictly prohibited in Gaza and the West Bank. To get around this ban, Palestinians started using watermelons as a symbol. When cut open, the colors of the fruit matched the colors of their flag – red, black, white, and green.
It took until 1993 for Palestinians to finally be allowed to publicly display their flag, thanks to the Oslo Accords. But watermelons remained a powerful symbol of their struggle against Israeli oppression. Even as recently as 2021, Israeli officials shut down an art exhibition in Ramallah featuring pieces that incorporated the Palestinian flag. One artist even suggested painting a watermelon with the flag colors, but the officer angrily responded that it would be confiscated too.
In response to recent Israeli actions, such as the eviction of Palestinian families, the use of watermelons as a symbol has made a comeback. Israeli officials have tried to crack down on the display of the Palestinian flag, even giving police the power to confiscate it. Protests have emerged, and images of watermelons with the text “This is not a Palestinian flag” have been plastered on taxis in Tel Aviv. It’s all part of the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and the fight against terrorism.
So, if you were wondering why there are so many watermelons at these pro-Palestinian demonstrations, now you know. It’s a way for the Palestinians to express their national identity and show solidarity in their quest for freedom.
