Jewish Federation flags on State Street spark controversy

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Flags representing the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara that are temporarily lining State Street in Santa Barbara are igniting a controversy.

The flags were discussed during the public comment portion of Tuesday's Santa Barbara City Council meeting.

The flags are blue and white and say Jewish Federation at the bottom.

Federation members said the Downtown Organization meant to have them up in September during Jewish holidays but then asked the Federation to pick another week. 

"They somehow missed us, they sent us five dates about five months ago, they are up for one week, they will go down tomorrow and it was complete coincidence that it happened at this time," said Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara Executive Director Cyndi Silverman.

She said they chose the week starting October18th before the recent conflict because the number represents good luck.

Faris Sanjakdar criticized the timing of the flags and encouraged others to voice there opinions.

"I am not asking for Santa Barbara to post pro-Palestinian flags up there, I am not asking them to post anything, honestly, I was actually going to protest Saturday holding up a peace flag that I had made for myself, a light purple peace flag where I wanted downtown Santa Barbara to replace the flags," said Sanjakdar, "I know they are non nonprofits flags, but I wanted them to replace the flags because that is all i really want is peace."

Silverman and others who spoke out said they consider requests to take the flags down as antisemitic at a time when antisemitism is on the rise.

"For him to take offense with the Jewish federation flags is highly antisemitic,"said Silverman, " It is like, yes we support Israel, but that is not who we are at the Jewish Federation we are a nonprofit we are a social service agency we take care of all people."

Sanjakdar and Silverman spoke briefly outside of City Hall, but did they did not appear to find common ground.

"I think that we should avoid conflict out there in Santa Barbara," said Sanjakdar, "I think that those flags should not showcase anything that is very pertinent in today's society, right now the flags  are speaking to me saying pro-Israel ."

Silverman said they are in mourning.

"We all care deeply about everyone in the Middle East, it is heartbreaking for us right now what has happened to our people, we need to get through the trauma of it," said Silverman.

The flags that are paid for annually by the nonprofit are scheduled to come down on Wednesday.

The Downtown Organization asked the Jewish Federation if they wanted to take them down sooner  but they group declined and some members said they were hurt by the request.

Federation supporters said they got called about social media comments calling for them to be taken down and they worried they might be vandalized.

City Councilmember Kristen Sneddon was the only council member to share here support for the flags after public comments.

"I want to voice my opinion and support for the Jewish Federaton," said Sneddon, "And thank you for your service to the community, and [I] support the flags staying on State Street proudly."

Sanjakdar had talked about the controversy on social media under "Faris is Fair."

One post said "Humanity is broken."

The flags scheduled months in advance to be up for one week are slated to be taken down tomorrow on Wednesday.

The Downtown Organization said that is when Independent Living Resource Center flags will go up in honor of National Disability Employment Month.

The organization issued a lengthy statement last Friday that said in part: "We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the conflict and stand together with our community and shared humanity as a symbol of hope, strength, peace and unity."

For information about the State Street Flag Program visit https://downtownsb.org

For information about the Jewish Federation visit https://jewishsantabarbara.org

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