Giant 40-Meter Flag Removed: 'Sometimes You Need to Know How to Let Go'

The giant Israeli flag in Kfar Shmaryahu, 40 meters high and measuring 10 by 17 meters, was removed on Tuesday following a legal dispute between its owner Boaz Hayon and the local council and Herzliya municipality. Hayon, who raised the flag after October 7 with the intention of uniting the people, decided not to appeal the court's decision, saying that 'such an appeal would not unite the people.' The council rejects his claims and notes that he did not receive a permit for the pole and that his appeals were rejected in various courts.

The giant Israeli flag that flew over Kfar Shmaryahu for the past two years was removed on Tuesday, following a legal dispute between the Herzliya municipality and the local council and its owner, Boaz Hayon. The court ruled that the flag, which stood 40 meters high and measured 10 by 17 meters, must be removed. Hayon stood under the flag as it was taken down and told ynet that he felt mixed emotions, as he had done the move with the pure intention of uniting the people. He noted that he could have appealed the decision, but thought that such an appeal would not unite the people, and that 'sometimes you need to know how to let go.' The Kfar Shmaryahu council emphasized that the local planning and building committee in Herzliya had previously issued an administrative demolition order for the pole, which was not carried out, and that appeals filed by Hayon were rejected in various courts. It was also claimed that a restraining order was issued against him due to complaints of threats he made against council workers. Hayon plans to move the flag to places across the country, and declared that he will come to any settlement that wants the flag. He explained that after October 7, he realized that the absence of flags signaled weakness to the enemy, so he raised the flag. The council completely rejects his claims, noting that he did not receive a permit for the pole and that his request was also rejected by the district committee due to building violations.