Published On 7/6/2026
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Last update: 04:28 (Mecca time)
Many social media accounts in the United States of America witnessed a different form of celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, as activists and politicians highlighted their rejection of American-Israeli relations and the influence of the Zionist lobby inside the country.
Activists documented – in widely circulated video clips – that they burned the Israeli flag to celebrate this occasion, describing Israel as the “real enemy” of the American people due to its direct influence on decision-making in Washington.
In the context of rejecting Israeli “hegemony”, and under the slogan “America First”; Activists and politicians participated in a campaign to express their rejection of what they described as Israeli “hegemony” over the American administration’s decisions.
In this context, political activist and candidate for US Congress, Eric Keel, posted a video clip in which he appears setting fire to the Israeli flag, commenting: “250 years ago we needed independence from the British king. But now – in 2026 – we need to declare our independence from Israel!”
Kale denounced the “significant influence” exercised by Israel on American internal and foreign affairs, considering that its interference in these issues constitutes a danger that must be eliminated.
“Light your cigarettes with this cheap knowledge.”
For his part, activist Stephen Lawrence published a video clip – through his account on the “X” platform – in which he denounced Israel’s involvement of the United States in many wars, and the resulting material and human costs, as he put it.
At the conclusion of the clip, Lawrence burned the Israeli flag and then lit his cigarette from the flame rising from it, saying: “Bring your fancy cigarettes and print a cheap flag,” in a call to end Israeli influence.
The move was inspired by Brian McGinnis, a former US Marine and Green Party candidate for Senate in North Carolina.
McGuinness – known for his opposition to American material and military support for Israel – had published a video clip documenting that he – with his friends – burned the Israeli flag and trampled on it, after lighting their cigarettes from the flames of its combustion.
Similar to what McGuinness did, other activists participated in the campaign by lighting their cigarettes from the burning flag, in a sarcastic protest move that expresses popular rejection of Israeli influence on American foreign and domestic policies.
Recalling the attack on the ship “Liberty”
Activists brought to the fore the memory of the famous Israeli attack on the US Navy ship USS Liberty while it was in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula in 1967, an attack that killed 34 American sailors and injured more than 100 others.
A soldier who survived that incident, former American soldier and activist Phil Turney, participated in the flag-burning campaign. He said in a video clip: “Burn this evil flag on Independence Day, in memory of my 34 comrades – whose names I tattooed on my hand – who were killed by Israel on June 8, 1967.”
Turney also criticized what he described as “Zionists” members of Congress who support Tel Aviv, adding: “You must fight for this country, not for Israel.”
In an unusual protest scene, American activist and Palestinian rights defender Wayne Waldroub gave a different character to the campaign, as he used a liquid substance and matches to spew fire from his mouth, which led to the burning of the Israeli flag.
This popular campaign received wide participation from American citizens, reflecting the growing popular rejection of the broad influence enjoyed by the Zionist lobby within American institutions, in conjunction with calls to stop American support for Israel, especially in light of the ongoing Israeli violations in the occupied Arab territories.
