Following the 1967 war, when Israel seized control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and annexed East Jerusalem, the government banned the Palestinian flag in the occupied territories.

Although the flag has not always been banned by law, the watermelon caught on as a symbol of resistance. The fruit is grown across Palestine from Jenin to Gaza and the fruit shares the same colours of the Palestinian flag. It is used to protest against Israel’s suppression of Palestinian flags and identity. 

The tote bag design arranges the seed in the watermelon to spell “Filasteen” in Arabic.

All profits from the sale of this product shall be donated to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.