National Flag of the State of Israel (1948)

The Israeli flag has its origins in the Zionist movement of the late 19th century. The design of the flag is credited to David Wolfsohn in July 1891.

The flag became the national flag of the state of Israel on the 14th of May 1948, when the new nation was created out of parts of the previously British mandated territory of Palestine.

The Israeli Parliament adopted the flag on the 28th of October 1948 and it was officially confirmed on the 12th of November 1948.

The Symbolic Meaning

The blue and white stripes are based on a talit, a traditional Jewish prayer shawl. 

The central blue hexagram (six pointed star) called the Magen David or the Shield of David is a traditional Jewish symbol used for centuries.

A modern interpretation of the flag has the blue and white stripes connoting purity, guided by the principles of the Torah and the Shield of David representing a new beginning.