Israel’s national flag has a white field with two horizontal blue stripes and a blue Star of David at the centre. The design was adopted after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

What does the Israeli flag look like?

A blue six-pointed Star of David, or Magen David, appears in the centre. Two blue horizontal stripes run near the top and bottom edges.

Origins of the design

The flag developed from a banner associated with the Zionist movement in the late nineteenth century. Its blue-and-white colors and stripe arrangement were inspired in part by the Jewish prayer shawl, the tallit, while the Star of David had become a widely recognised Jewish emblem.

Adoption by the state

After Israel declared independence in May 1948, officials considered several possible national flags. The existing Zionist flag was formally adopted as the state flag on October 28, 1948.

Israel flag facts

• Adopted: October 28, 1948
• Colors: blue and white
• Central symbol: Star of David
• Origins: Zionist movement