By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The Coral Gables City Commission has opted not to raise the Israeli flag over City Hall on Oct. 7, instead approving a trio of commemorative gestures intended to honor the victims of the 2023 Hamas attacks while avoiding political division. The approved actions include lighting City Hall in blue and white, placing a remembrance banner with inclusive imagery, and convening an interfaith gathering with local clergy.

The decision followed two commission meetings, the last on September 25, marked by emotional public comment and strong resident turnout, with most speakers urging the city not to raise a foreign flag—particularly one many feared would be seen as taking sides in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

Mayor Lago backs down from flag proposal

Mayor Vince Lago, who initially proposed the flag-raising resolution, defended his intentions but ultimately conceded. “If it were up to me and only me, I’d raise the flag,” Lago said. “This was never about marginalizing any community. But if I don’t have the votes to do that, we should still do something meaningful. Lighting City Hall, placing banners, and holding an interfaith gathering are ways to honor victims and bring people together.”

Lago noted that he had heard from both Jewish and Catholic residents. “They didn’t see this as anti-Palestinian,” he said. “Tragedy has happened on both sides. What matters is that we come together as a community.”

Critics say lighting still signals political support

But for many residents, even the modified approach remained controversial.

Katherine Shehadeh, who spoke at both meetings, viewed the blue-and-white lighting as only a marginal improvement. “We met with Commissioner Richard Lara before the first meeting and explained to him why the Israeli flag is so offensive to us,” she said. “Lighting City Hall blue is a less overt symbol, but it’s still a symbol supporting Israel.”

Shehadeh said she exchanged emails with the mayor between meetings and found him unreceptive to the pain his proposal might cause. After staying for the entire second meeting to hear the final outcome, she added, “It was really frustrating not to be able to say, ‘This is almost just as bad as the flag-raising—and you know it.’”

Anderson introduces banner as inclusive solution

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson proposed an alternative path after what she described as “research and deep reflection.” She suggested a remembrance banner near City Hall, designed to emphasize peace and unity without inflaming political sensitivities.

“If you raise a flag for Israel, some people will feel marginalized,” Anderson said. “We need to highlight victims in the name of world peace without dividing our community. A banner or vigil can do that.”

The banner, designed by city staff under Anderson’s direction, features two white doves perched on a globe. The words “In Remembrance” appear above the date Oct. 7, with the phrases “May Peace Prevail” and “Honoring those who lost their lives” inscribed below.

Commissioners emphasize neutrality and remembrance

Commissioner Ariel Fernandez called the banner concept “immediately compelling,” adding that Coral Gables has previously lit City Hall for other causes, including support for Ukraine. “This, combined with a banner, sends the right message,” he said.

Commissioner Melissa Castro, who opposed the flag-raising from the outset, reaffirmed her stance. “That is the only flag we need to be flying,” she said, referring to the American flag. “As commissioners, we represent every resident. Raising another country’s flag does not unite us.”

Commissioner Richard Lara echoed his earlier concerns from the prior meeting. “The flag of Israel is undoubtedly a political symbol,” he said. “We don’t want a split vote on something this sensitive. The focus should be on remembrance in a way that is inclusive.”

Public voices remain divided

Multiple residents returned to speak against the flag proposal and the revised lighting plan.

“If you only honor Israeli victims, you ignore thousands of others,” said Jalal Shehadeh. “A vote for this is an endorsement of genocide and divides our residents.”

Martha Schoolman, who identified herself as Jewish and the daughter of a rabbi, called the proposal “deeply offensive war mongering.” She said: “This war is tearing apart Jewish families. This is a genocide—a nearly completed one. Who is this commission to rub salt in the wounds of our community?”

Others reinforced the call for neutrality. “Raising a foreign flag is inherently political,” said one resident who identified as Catholic and of Palestinian descent. “Imagine if you only raised a Palestinian flag—some residents would feel upset and excluded. And they would be justified. I would be here speaking on their behalf.”

Final compromise centers on peace and vigil

In the end, the Commission approved a consensus package of three actions:

• Lighting City Hall in blue and white on Oct. 7.
• Installing a remembrance banner with a non-political message of peace.
• Hosting an interfaith vigil in partnership with local clergy.

“This was about finding common ground,” Lara said. “We can honor victims without creating new divisions.”