Boston Park displays 10,000 flags to show solidarity with Israel

10/25/23 By Madison Lucchesi

“I stand with Israel” is written on numerous signs with the patterns of the Israel and American flags connected in Boston’s Statler Park. The signs are surrounded by 10,000 Israeli and U.S. flags – 5,000 for each nation. Seemingly growing from marble, white and blue roses form the Star of David in the park’s central fountain.

Each flag, sign and rose represents Israel and America’s alliance and opposition to terrorism. 

David Jacobs, publisher and editor of the Boston Guardian newspaper, and an anonymous friend planted the flags on Wednesday. Statler Park sits across from the Park Plaza Hotel, the Israeli Consulate and Jacobs’ newsroom at the Boston Guardian. Many Bostonians visit or walk by the park daily, making it an ideal location for a powerful display.

Last year, Jacobs and his partner planted 500 Ukrainian flags in the park to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.

“With the events in Israel, it was sort of almost a no-brainer for us to do it again, but instead of 500 flags, we planted literally 10,000 flags,” Jacobs said in a phone interview with the Boston Globe. 

The park is under 24 hour surveillance until Sunday when the flags are removed. Jacobs and his partner hope the flags are displayed in more locations to continue to spread awareness about the war and show solidarity throughout the city.