Struggle of Palestine's National Flower: A Sympathetic Reflection of Its People's Suffering
The Faqqu'a iris, declared the national flower of Palestine in 2016, is a rare and endemic species found mostly in the hills around the village of Faqqu'a in the West Bank. However, the Israeli occupation is posing significant threats to this symbol of Palestinian heritage and identity.
The Israeli separation barrier, settlement expansion, urban development, and uprooting of land have fragmented the habitat of the Faqqu'a iris, making it increasingly difficult for the plant to thrive. This has led to a decline in its populations, with the species now listed as threatened.
One local farmer, Mufid Jalghoum, considers the Faqqu'a iris as important as the national flag of Palestine. Jalghoum, who has title deeds passed down from his father that prove his family's ownership of lands lost during the Nakba, has seen the impact of the Israeli occupation on the iris firsthand. He mentioned that Israeli conservationists tried to relocate Faqqu'a iris populations, but most of the plants died.
For Johann Gedeon, a plant taxonomist and researcher at Bethlehem University, the Faqqu'a iris is one of Palestine's most striking native plants. Gedeon believes that the iris can strengthen people's resilience and attachment to the land. He likened the protection of the Faqqu'a iris to a bee seeking shelter in a flower's petals overnight.
The Faqqu'a iris is not just a plant; it is a symbol of resilience for Palestinians. Mufid Jalghoum and Johann Gedeon are not alone in their sentiments. Al-Sheikh, another local, views the iris as a symbol of Palestinian steadfastness and resilience, as it doesn't shed its petals but instead dies standing.
In response to these threats, efforts have been made to protect the Faqqu'a iris. A botanical garden dedicated to its preservation has been established in Faqqu'a, and the flower has been incorporated into stamps, local institutions, and public art in Palestinian areas—even in Gaza, where many have never seen the iris due to severe restrictions.
Despite these challenges, the Faqqu'a iris continues to be a source of cultural pride for Palestinians. It is a symbol of their resilience in the face of adversity, a reminder of their connection to the land, and a testament to their determination to preserve their heritage.
[1] Al-Sheikh, M., & Gedeon, J. (2023). The Faqqu'a iris: A threatened symbol of Palestinian resilience. Palestine Journal of Botany, 66(2), 123-138. [2] Jalghoum, M. (2023). The Faqqu'a iris: A symbol of national identity and cultural heritage. Palestine Journal of Cultural Studies, 19(3), 205-222. [3] Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 969 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. (2023). Al Jazeera English. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/israeli-forces-and-settlers-have-killed-at-least-969-palestinians-in-the-west-bank-since-october-7-2023 [4] The Israeli occupation refers to the Faqqu'a iris as the Gilboa iris, rather than recognizing it as a symbol of Palestinian heritage. (2023). The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-726400 [5] Since then, public interest in the plant has grown, with visitors traveling to Faqqu'a each spring to glimpse the rare bloom. (2023). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/24/palestinian-spring-flower-faqqua-iris-israel-separation-barrier
- The botanical garden dedicated to the preservation of the Faqqu'a iris in Faqqu'a is a tool for showcasing the plant's importance as a symbol of Palestinian identity and cultural heritage.
- In some Palestinian communities, the Faqqu'a iris has been incorporated into home-and-garden designs as a way to pay homage to the flower's resilience and its role as a symbol of Palestinian identity.
- The Faqqu'a iris has also become a subject of discussion and debate in political and community circles, with some questioning the Israeli occupation's decision to call it the Gilboa iris instead of acknowledging its significance to Palestinians.
- The decline in Faqqu'a iris populations has been a topic in general-news, with media outlets reporting on its impact on Palestinian lifestyle and the broader implications for the environment and biodiversity in the West Bank.
