Smiley says city council ‘fanning flames’ by raising Palestinian flag
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Mayor Brett Smiley said he wasn’t happy that Providence City Councilors will be raising the Palestinian flag at City Hall on May 16, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
“I want to be clear that my office does not have the authority to prevent a separate, independent branch of government from expressing differing views – just as I did not consult with them two weeks ago when I raised the Israeli flag to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut,” he said.
According to Smiley and the council, the flag raising was being done at the request of councilors and members of the local Palestinian community.
“I was especially disheartened to learn that the City Council chose to fly this flag in City Hall – for the first time in our city’s history – on the day I returned from a trip to Israel with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island,” the mayor said. “This trip was particularly meaningful to me, as it was my first time visiting Israel as a Jew.”
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island had said in a statement that it “opposes the display of the flag as a political symbol used to divide our city.”
“The timing of the flag display coincides with Nakba Day, which translates to ‘Day of Catastrophe’ and commemorates what Palestinians view as a tragedy associated with the founding of the State of Israel,” the organization said. “It is a deeply political observance and a pointed commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island, meanwhile, said it supports the flag raising and that Smiley’s comments “reinforce anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.”
“As members of Jewish Voice for Peace, we are proud to live in a city that is standing with Palestine as they endure an ongoing genocide,” the organization said. “Seventy-seven years ago today, over 700,000 Palestinians were evicted from their homes and permanently displaced from their land.”
City Council President Rachel Miller and Councilor Miguel Sanchez will both speak at the event.
Smiley’s full statement can be read below:
In recent years, the rise of antisemitism has hit home here in Providence, where our Jewish neighbors have increasingly felt targeted by statements, protests, and demonstrations. I am proud to be a member of our city’s Jewish community, and I renounce in the strongest terms any actions and rhetoric designed to sow the seeds of hatred and division.
Unfortunately, yesterday the Providence City Council fanned these flames by flying the Palestinian flag in its chambers and inviting our community to a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall tomorrow. I want to be clear that my office does not have the authority to prevent a separate, independent branch of government from expressing differing views – just as I did not consult with them two weeks ago when I raised the Israeli flag to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. I have worked hard to ensure our local Jewish community feels safe and welcomed, and I am disappointed that the City Council would use their position of leadership to further ignite tensions in our city.
I was especially disheartened to learn that the City Council chose to fly this flag in City Hall – for the first time in our city’s history – on the day I returned from a trip to Israel with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. This trip was particularly meaningful to me, as it was my first time visiting Israel as a Jew. Over the past week, I had the opportunity to meet with many Israelis and hear their firsthand experiences with the war – the people they have lost and the communities that have been destroyed. And throughout these conversations, there was one consistent theme – a theme central to their identity as Israelis and carried in the very name of their national anthem: hope. Every person I spoke with, through pain and loss, expressed hope for peace and a shared desire for open dialogue, common ground, and an end to the suffering for all.
If those on the frontlines of this war can hold on to this yearning for dialogue and peace, then surely those of us watching from Providence can do the same. Using their strife as a tool to instigate conflict in our community does a disservice to the people and families on both sides just trying to survive.
There are thousands of Jews in our Capital City, and each has their own views and connection to Israel. There are also Palestinians in our community, and they likewise have a unique identity and perspective on this complex issue. Those of us in Providence cannot solve this centuries-old conflict. But what we can do – what we must do – is lead with compassion, with empathy, and with hope. We have a duty to bring our community together and to ensure Providence remains an inclusive and welcoming city for all.
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s statement can be read below:
On Wednesday, May 14, the Palestinian flag was put on display in the Providence City Council Chambers. Additionally, the flag is scheduled to be displayed in front of City Hall for a short period on Friday. In Providence, the executive branch and the City Council are separate entities. The decision to raise the Palestinian flag on Friday was made by the Providence City Council, not by Mayor Brett Smiley’s office, though the mayor did not block the request. The Jewish Alliance opposes the display of the flag as a political symbol used to divide our city.
The timing of the flag display coincides with Nakba Day, which translates to “Day of Catastrophe” and commemorates what Palestinians view as a tragedy associated with the founding of the State of Israel. Nakba Day is not Palestinian Independence Day, nor is it internationally recognized. It is a deeply political observance and a pointed commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At a time when symbols have the power to divide or unite, we believe our city leaders should work to foster understanding of both Jewish and Palestinian narratives. That includes affirming Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state in the historic homeland of the Jewish people, while also recognizing the human experiences of Palestinians.
Following the horrific acts of terror carried out against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, we have witnessed a wave of local protests targeting Israel. While organizers often state their support for Palestinians and peace in Gaza, many of these demonstrations have included rhetoric that is not just critical of Israeli policy, but explicitly opposes the existence of the State of Israel. In some cases, this rhetoric has crossed into antisemitism.
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island remains committed to dialogue and peace for all those impacted by this painful conflict and welcome discussion with all leaders that share this same commitment. We will continue to advocate for all Israelis to live in peace and security in their ancestral homeland, and for the safety of Jews around the world.
Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island’s full statement can be read below:
As members of Jewish Voice for Peace, we are proud to live in a city that is standing with Palestine as they endure an ongoing genocide. Seventy-seven years ago today, over 700,000 Palestinians were evicted from their homes and permanently displaced from their land. Seventy-seven years later, Palestinians have not been able to return and are currently facing a famine and genocide at hands of the Israeli military and funded by our tax dollars.
Standing in solidarity with Palestine is in fact part of our obligation as Jews and non-Jewish allies. Mayor Smiley is severely misinformed as he insinuates that solidarity with Palestine and flying the Palestinian flag makes Jews less safe. We find his remarks to reinforce anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.
We hold that life is sacred and that part of our religious obligation is to fight for a world in which Palestinians can live safely and freely on their land. Flying the Palestinian flag is a small step toward a liberated future. It is a testament to the power of our diverse movement for Palestinian liberation.
