Pro-Palestine Protester Malaak Hattab Identified as Individual Burning Israeli Flag in LA

During a recent Pro-Palestine protest in Los Angeles, a woman later identified as Malaak Hattab was caught on camera burning the Israeli flag alongside other protesters, according to the Stop Antisemitism Organization. The incident has sparked debate about the limits of free expression as well as the Middle East’s ongoing tensions.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Malaak Hattab is a UC Santa Barbara student who also works part-time for Enterprise. The protester’s identification has raised concerns about the intersection of personal beliefs and public actions, particularly in the context of a highly sensitive and complex geopolitical issue.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Hattab actively participating in the flag-burning demonstration during the Pro Palestine protest. The act has received both support and criticism from a variety of sources, with debates raging about the appropriateness of such expressions during public protests.

L.A. – antisemites burn the Israel flag during a pro Palestinian rally.

Recognize them? DM us. pic.twitter.com/OQ8eb9HoOm

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) December 27, 2023

UC Santa Barbara has yet to issue an official statement about the incident, and it is unclear how the university will handle the situation. Furthermore, Enterprise, the company where Hattab works part-time, has yet to respond publicly.

The incident occurred during a period of increased tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with protests and demonstrations taking place around the world. Flag burning has been a contentious issue, raising concerns about the balance between free expression and actions that may be perceived as incendiary or offensive.

According to ReliefWeb, as of October 7th, at least 29,124 Palestinians have lost their lives, with the majority being civilians, including 11,422 children, 5,822 women, 481 health personnel, and 101 journalists, primarily due to Israeli air and artillery attacks on the Gaza Strip.