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The Provisional Council of State Proclamation of the Flag of the State of Israel (28 October 1948)

The Provisional Council of State hereby proclaims that the flag of the State of Israel shall be as illustrated and described below: The flag is 220 cm. long and 160 cm. wide. The background is white and on it are two stripes of dark sky-blue, 25 cm. broad, over the whole length of the flag, at a distance of 15 cm. from the top and from the bottom of the flag. In the middle of the white background, between the two blue stripes and at equal distance from each stripe is a Star of David, composed of six dark sky-blue stripes, 5.5 cm. broad, which form two equilateral triangles, the bases of which are parallel to the two horizontal stripes.

Origin of the flag

The flag of the State of Israel is intended to portray a Star of David (Magen David) on a tallit, the traditional Jewish prayer shawl.

The Israelites used an indigo colored dye called tekhelet; this dye is now believed to have been made from the snail Murex trunculus. This dye was very important in both Jewish and non-Jewish cultures of this time, and was used by royalty and the upper class in dyeing their clothing, sheets, curtains, and so on. (The dye from a related snail can be processed to form Tyrian purple called argaman.)

While this flag emphasizes Jewish religious symbols, Theodor Herzl wanted the flag to have more universal symbols: 7 golden stars symbolizing the 7-hour working quota of the enlightened state-to-be, which would have advanced socialist legislations.

According to a 1911 edition of the Jewish Encyclopedia, a flag with blue and white stripes and a Magen David in the center flew with those of other nationalities from one of the buildings at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. It implied that it flew there in relation to large meetings of Zionists. That expo was the World's Fair hosting the 1904 Summer Olympics.