Demands for ‘inappropriate’ Palestinian flag to be removed from tourist island

A Palestinian flag on the waterfront at North Stradbroke Island has sparked controversy among locals and tourists, who claim it is harming the island’s reputation and deterring visitors.

MP Mark Robinson wrote to Transport Minister Bart Mellish calling for the removal of the Palestinian flag from Ballow Rd at Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island.

A Palestinian flag flying above a waterfront road on North Stradbroke Island has ignited anger among tourists and residents, who claim it is deterring visitors to the beachside resort.

The black, white, red and green flag was erected by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation on land owned by the state Transport Department.

It is on a 20m flagpole on the footpath on Ballow Rd, opposite the bakery at Dunwich about 50m from another flagpole which flies the Indigenous red, yellow and black flag.

The flag was erected in November, weeks after a brutal armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel on October 7.

A second, similar, flagpole was erected at Point Lookout at the entrance of the Gorge Walk but was later vandalised with a grinder used to saw it down from the base.

Businesses who are members of the local Chamber of Commerce, said they were concerned the flag and flagpole at Dunwich were damaging the island’s reputation as a carefree holiday escape.

The sites of two flagpoles marked in orange erected by QYAC on Ballow Rd at Dunwich.

The matter was raised in state parliament this week after an anonymous tourist posted a complaint that the flag was “inappropriate” on the tourist website, TripAdvisor.

“Possibly my last trip to Straddie. My first was 66 years ago as a 12-year-old,” the post said.

“The ferry trip was great as it always is. My disappointment was triggered by the Palestinian flag flying alongside the Aboriginal flag on top of the hill opposite the shops.

“What the Palestinian flag can possibly have to do with the administration of Straddie is beyond me.

“One thing is certain, I will never return whilst that flag flies.”

LNP MP Mark Robinson, whose Oodgeroo electorate covers Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island, called on Transport Minister Bart Mellish to “immediately” remove the flag after writing to the government in July.

The post on tourist website TripAdvisor.

“This is causing great consternation to locals, who are wondering why the government is doing that and focusing on just one part of that (Hamas-Gaza) issue,” he said.

“It is affecting tourism on North Stradbroke Island as well. There are a lot of adverse comments to me and it is sad that they are being so one-sided.

“Again I call on the minister and the government to do the right thing and remove the single flag or add other flags in order to be balanced and respectful.”

TMR and QYAC were contacted for comment.