Police Investigate Israeli Flag Stolen From Canberra Flag Walk

The flagpole carrying the Israeli flag has been damaged with the flag nowhere to be seen, officials say.

An Israeli flag is seen attached to the fence at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, Australia, on Dec. 9, 2024. Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images

Police are investigating after a flagpole was damaged and the Israeli flag stolen from Canberra’s international flag walk.

The sudden disappearance of the flag had sparked discussion on social media platform X and questions about whether the removal of the flag had been sanctioned by the government.

On Sept. 5, Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon posted an image to X showing a single bare flagpole along Canberra’s iconic flag walk at Commonwealth Place.

“Where has the flag of Israel gone?” Maimon wrote.

“Defaced, removed, and now missing, the absence of our nation’s flag from Canberra’s international flag display is both noticeable and unacceptable.”

The Australian government’s National Capital Authority (NCA), which is in charge of the flag walk, told The Epoch Times that police were investigating after the flagpole was damaged and the flag removed.

“The NCA is aware of the missing flag and is in the process of rectifying damage caused to the flagpole to enable the installation of the flag,” a spokesperson said.

“The flag has been removed without permission or knowledge of the NCA.

“The matter has been referred to the police.”

The Australian Capital Territory police told The Epoch Times that the flag had been reported stolen on Aug. 26, although no arrests had been made yet.

They urge anyone with information to call Crimestoppers, quoting 8143885 or by calling 1800 333 000.

Iranian Australian Hesam Orouji, who leads the Australian branch of the Iran Novin Party, which opposes the Islamic Republic of Iran, also questioned the situation.

“They still wave the flag of the Islamic regime—the same regime that just days ago was [confirmed as] plotting terror attacks against Australia,” he said on X.

On the evening of Sept. 7, Australian Sen. Michaelia Cash also posted to X about the missing flag.

“Whatever the reason Israel’s flag is missing from Canberra’s international flag display, it should be restored as soon as possible,” she wrote.

Australian Jewish Association President David Adler simply remarked: “Australia is unrecognisable.”

About the Flag Walk

The 110 flags that make up the flag walk are flown 24 hours per day and illuminated at night.

Originally launched in 1999 by Governor-General Sir William Deane, the display is now a popular tourist drawcard.

In 2018, Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh opened a revitalised display which included the addition of 10 new flags.

The national flags represent 108 missions that have a diplomatic presence in Canberra—the nation’s capital— as well as flags of the European Union and the United Nations, identified by a plaque at the base of each flagpole.

All national flags are positioned alphabetically, starting closest to the High Court of Australia. For this reason, the first country listed is Afghanistan, and the last is Zimbabwe.