As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, many U.S. politicians have taken a firm, public stance against supporters of the Palestinian state.
Triggered by Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people, Palestinian officials in Gaza have estimated the death toll on their side of the conflict has exceeded 36,600 since Israel responded with aerial attacks and infantry operations.
Protests across the U.S. against Israel's response have been countered by conservative voices such as House Speaker Mike Johnson saying recently that it was "disgusting" that pro-Palestinian protestors had not been arrested.
On Sunday, one of Johnson's predecessors called for a government employee to be "fired" after he claimed seeing the Palestinian flag being flown over the U.S. Treasury building.
The Claim
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, posted on June 16, 2024, and viewed 1.3 million times said: "Whoever is flying the Palestinian flag over the U.S. Treasury building should be fired summarily. I just saw the picture of the Palestinian flag flying over the U.S. Treasury building next to the White House and I could not believe it."
The Facts
There has been no release or news about U.S. government buildings flying the Palestinian flag, a tricolor of black, white and green with a red triangle overlay, least of all given the fragile sensitivities surrounding the U.S.' relationship with Israel, its views on Hamas, and its attempts to provide aid to Gaza.
In the wake of the October 7 attacks, the Treasury imposed sanctions on 10 Hamas group members, operatives and facilitators in Gaza. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said the department was "taking swift and decisive action to target Hamas' financers and facilitators following its brutal and unconscionable massacre of Israeli civilians, including children."
While the Palestinian flag is not an expression of support for Hamas, the precariousness of the situation in the Middle East means flying the flag would almost certainly attract widespread attention and commentary.
As it turns out, however, Gingrich appears to have mistaken what he saw.
In response to the former speaker's post on X, Mike Gwin, principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Treasury, said "Sir, that's a pride flag."
Photos taken for Getty Images show the Pride flag being hoisted on May 31, 2024, marking this year's annual LGBTQ+ celebrations. While the flag has a triangular overlay, like the Palestinian flag, that's where the similarities end. It has several triangular overlays, unlike the Palestinian flag, and six horizontal colors, reflecting the community's diversity and inclusion.
Newsweek has contacted a media representative at Gingrich's media company, Gingrich360, via email for comment.
The Ruling
False.
The Treasury did not fly the Palestinian flag over its building. As stated by one of its communications staff, Gingrich appeared to mistake it for the rainbow flag, flying for Pride month.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek's Fact Check team
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