Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Parliament on Monday with the bag.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi caused an uproar on Monday when she arrived in Parliament carrying a bag with the word Palestine written on it. The bag said Palestine would be free. Priyanka Gandhi responded by saying she would decide what to wear herself after BJP leaders accused her of appeasement after the photo went viral on social media.
Priyanka Gandhi also posted on the social media platform and wrote that what is special is that this pro-Palestinian handbag does not have a Palestinian flag, but there are many symbols that are considered to be anti-Israel. These include headscarves, Palestinian embroidery, a dove symbolizing peace, olive branches, watermelons and the colors of the Palestinian flag. This is what caused the uproar. Let’s understand how these symbols represent the unity of Palestine.
Symbols on Priyanka Gandhi’s bag and their meanings
Kafiye:The black and white square pattern on the right side of the bag is called Kaffiyeh. Palestinians also wear such hats and scarves. The Palestinian people consider it a symbol of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, justice and freedom. It is also the trademark of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. They used to cover their heads by putting them over their shoulders. Today it is adopted by activists and organizations supporting the Palestinian issue.
White dove: The bag has a pattern of a white dove, which is considered a symbol of peace and freedom. The dove also holds an olive branch in its beak. It is mentioned in ancient books. Specifically, the Bible records that when Noah encountered a flood, a dove was sent to find land with an olive branch in its mouth to mark the passage of the flood.
Olive branch: A plant, which is actually an olive branch, is visible on the left side of Priyanka Gandhi’s bag. The olive tree is considered ancient in Palestine, and its branches are believed to be associated with peace and prosperity. The tree can withstand drought, low temperatures and even fire. Olive oil and sago also play an important role in the Palestinian economy. Many families there depend on it for their income. According to a United Nations report, more than 5,000 olive trees were damaged in Palestine in the first five months of 2023. In 1974, Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat told the United Nations General Assembly, “Today I hold an olive branch in one hand and a gun in the other.”
Palestinian embroidery: The bag has Palestinian embroidery on the top background that says Palestine. This is the art of needlework practiced by Palestinian women for generations. There is a different story behind each pattern. Palestinian embroidered clothing is called “thobe”. It is made of wool and rayon. According to Al Jazeera, in 2021, UNESCO will include Palestinian traditional embroidery on its cultural heritage list.
watermelon: The pack also features an image of watermelon, considered the most iconic fruit representing Palestine. It comes in three colors: red, green, white and black, reflecting the colors of the Palestinian flag. Palestinians have been displaying photos of watermelons to protest against Israel. In 1967, when Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and banned the flying of the Palestinian flag, photos of watermelons were displayed in protest. Even today, people use watermelon emojis in social media posts.
