The giant flag that stood 40 meters high has been removed: "Sometimes you have to know how to let go"

A giant Israeli flag that has been waving in the skies of Kfar Shmaryahu for the past two years was removed on Tuesday following a legal dispute between the Herzliya municipality, the local council, and its owner, Boaz Hayun. The court ruled that the flag, which stood 40 meters high and measured 10 by 17 meters, must be removed.

Hayun stood under the flag as it was being taken down and told Ynet:

"I have mixed feelings, because I made the move with the pure intention of uniting the people, and I think I succeeded in that. I could have appealed the decision, but I thought that such an appeal would not unite the people, and in a tug-of-war, if you only pull, you also lose. Sometimes you have to know how to let go."

In Kfar Shmaryahu, they emphasized that the local planning and building committee of Herzliya had previously issued an administrative demolition order for the mast, which was not carried out by Hayun, and appeals he had filed in the past were rejected one after another in various courts. The council even noted that a restraining order was issued against Hayun due to repeated complaints of threats against council employees.

Hayun plans to move the flag to locations all over the country:

"I will reach every settlement that wants the flag and put it there until the council or the settlement makes a flag of their own. But I warn you: a flag is a demanding task. It needs to be operated, it needs a camera on it all the time. It is demanding, and the costs are not insignificant. It requires maintenance when it fades and constant lighting."

"After the slap we received on October 7, I understood what the lack of flags among us transmits to the enemy," he explained. "A multitude of flags will make it clear to everyone that we are here to stay. I went through all the committees, but the head of the council was against it, and we reached the court. Unfortunately, when the judge arrived at the scene, he also ruled against it."

In the Kfar Shmaryahu council, they stated that "Hayun's issue is not with the head of the council, but the need of every citizen in the country to respect the rulings of judicial instances." Hayun also rejected accusations that he sought permission to build a structure on the site: "It is simply not true, this place will never be sold for money. I could have put an antenna on the flag and enjoyed an exemption, but it will not happen."

On behalf of the Kfar Shmaryahu council, it was stated: "We reject Hayun's claims entirely. He did not receive permission for the mast, and the district committee rejected his request for the erection of the mast due to building violations."