Palestinian Flag on Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Float Sparks Outrage

A Palestinian flag being held during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has sparked outrage as tensions in the United States remain high from the conflict in the Middle East.

A member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe who was riding on a float in the annual parade raised a Palestinian flag while passing by cameras Thursday morning. Observers noticed that it appeared cameras were trying to cut away from the flag, but the person continued to find a way into the frame.

Steve Guest, former rapid response director for the Republican National Committee, called it a "pro-Hamas protest."

"Nothing says Thanksgiving like a member of the Wampanoag tribe waving a Palestinian flag from their float in the Macy's parade," conservative commentator Auron MacIntyre wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"Why does the Native American float in Macy's parade have a Palestinian flag," conservative news website Outkick asked.

After the parade, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe said that it takes "no stance on the conflict" and that the display of the flag was the decision of one individual, calling it "unfortunate that we are not focused on the beautiful display of our culture and history at the Macy's Day Parade but rather on the actions of an individual tribal citizen."

"We want to make it very clear that the Tribe takes no stance on the conflicts overseas. Our Tribal Nation remains focused on the issues we face on our ancestral homeland," the tribe said in a statement.

Despite the criticisms, some applauded the move and stated their solidarity with the person holding the Palestinian flag.

"i'm so glad i was able to see this with my own eyes," one user tweeted. "the mashpee wampanoag tribe from ma brought a palestinian flag on their float in solidarity for palestine! the world sees you!!"

"To the beautiful person holding the Palestinian flag and wearing the keffiyeh on the Wampanoag float in the Macys thanksgiving day parade WE SEE YOU AND WE LOVE YOU 🇵🇸❣️ from turtle island to Palestine we will all be FREE," another said.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has dominated the national conversation in the U.S. since Hamas launched the October 7 attack on Israel, and Israel launched subsequent attacks on Gaza. As of November 23, more than 13,000 people have died in Gaza with thousands more missing and injured, the Associated Press reported, citing the Gaza Health Ministry. At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, the AP said.

Fighting is expected to pause for four days beginning at midnight as Hamas begins releasing hostages held in Gaza to Israel tomorrow. Both sides have vowed to continue their military campaign after the deal, which will also include the release of 150 Palestinians from Israeli jails.

Polls show that there has been a recent shift in public opinion on the conflict. While most Americans continue to sympathize with Israel, over a third of U.S. adults now say that Israel's military response has been "too much," according to a PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll released last week.

A poll conducted by Gallup in March also showed Democrats sympathizing more with Palestinians than Israelis for the first time since the pollsters began tracking attitudes in 2001.

Guest pointed out that the commentary from NBC News said the float's theme was "growing forward, looking back."

"The float represents the promise of the future guided by the knowledge of our shared heritage," TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie said.

Some also questioned why the camera appeared to pan away from the flag.

"Just very weird that every time that guy held up the palestinian flag on that float at the macy's parade they changed the camera angle away from him......," one X user wrote.

"As much as I enjoy the Macy's parade, it's uncomfortable seeing how fast the editors switch the camera angle when a Palestinian flag shows up on a float or in the crowd," another said.

Update 11/24/23, 4 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

Update 11/23/23, 11:13 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

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