Israel's Netanyahu wants to 'kill' the Palestinian eagle passport emblem

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a controversial move targeting Palestinian national symbols by replacing the Palestinian eagle emblem on passports with a "Peace Council" stamp and subsequently igniting concerns over the erasure of Palestinian identity and sovereignty.

In statements earlier in January, Netanyahu described the Palestinian staff at the Rafah border crossing as "mere stampers of passports," signalling his aim to limit any visible authority or symbolic presence of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza—even at crossings used daily by Palestinians.

On 2 February, the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing reopened on a very limited basis under strict restrictions. 

Management of the Palestinian side is officially handled by a European civilian border mission, while Palestinian staff affiliated with the PA process passports. 

Despite this, Netanyahu insists on controlling symbolic elements, viewing even the passport stamp as a challenge to Israeli authority. 

Speaking separately to The New Arab, Palestinians argue that replacing the eagle with the Peace Council seal is seen as an attempt to erase national identity and undermine the PA's symbolic authority, a move aimed ultimately at curtailing Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza.

What is the Palestinian eagle?

The Palestinian eagle, or "Eagle of Saladin", appears on Palestinian passports and official documents. The golden eagle carries a shield in the colours of the Palestinian flag, red, green, white, and black, and symbolises strength, pride, and national identity. 

Its roots trace back to Saladin's era, linking it to broader Arab heritage. For Palestinians, tampering with the eagle is more than an administrative decision; it challenges the essence of national identity.

The PA formally adopted the emblem after Palestine obtained observer state status at the United Nations in 2012. 

It represents both partial international recognition and a tangible affirmation of Palestinian sovereignty. 

Palestinian analysts argue that removing it is not a cosmetic change; it aims to weaken the symbolic connection between the Palestinian people and their right to statehood. 

For Palestinians, the emblem embodies resilience, continuity of rights, and a connection to Arab and Islamic history, making even a passport stamp politically charged.

Israel's measures at Rafah reflect a broader strategy of symbolic control over Palestinians. While Palestinian employees stamp passports, Israel does not recognise their authority and strictly limits the display of Palestinian symbols. 

The use of Palestinian staff allows Israel to maintain operational control while projecting a minimal Palestinian presence.

These policies are part of a broader framework that includes restricting crossings, limiting aid, and monitoring Palestinian movement. 

Replacing the eagle with the Peace Council stamp is not mere bureaucracy—it is a symbolic step intended to erase the PA's authority in Gaza, consolidating Israeli control over both borders and national symbols, according to Ased Yassin, a Gaza-based political analyst. 

"The issue goes beyond a mere logo or stamp on a passport. Israel is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to impose symbolic control over Palestinians and weaken the PA's presence in Gaza," Yassin told TNA.

"Unfortunately, the international silence, Arab inaction, and US indifference have allowed Israel the space to implement these policies gradually," Yassin said.

Yassin added that a unified Palestinian stance could force the international community to respond more effectively.

Steadfastness vs symbolic erasure

Mustafa Ibrahim, a Palestinian analyst from Gaza, sees the removal of the Palestinian eagle as an effort to strip the coastal enclave of any form of Palestinian sovereignty and sever ties with the PA. 

"Israel wants to reinforce its symbolic control over Gaza and emphasise that the Palestinian authority remains confined within strict limits," he told TNA.

Ahed Farwana, another analyst in Gaza, argued that Netanyahu's policies aim to deepen the separation between Gaza and the occupied West Bank. 

He told TNA that Israel relies on US support to carry out these measures and warned that without strong international pressure, Israel will continue erasing Palestinian symbols. 

"Border crossings and travel documents have become arenas in the struggle over Palestinian identity," he said.

Analysts agree that Israeli measures against the Palestinian eagle go beyond formality and are part of a coordinated strategy to control crossings, limit aid, and restrict Palestinian symbols in Gaza. The passport emblem is central to the struggle over identity and statehood.

For Palestinians, the eagle reflects history, resilience, and national rights. It connects citizens to their Arab and Islamic heritage and represents resistance against erasure. 

Attempts to remove it reveal the ongoing conflict between Palestinian identity and Israeli policies seeking to undermine it. 

Border crossings and travel documents have become part of this symbolic and political struggle, a reminder of the broader fight over sovereignty and recognition.