Flag of Israel
countryThe flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948. White field with two blue stripes and a Star of David. It uses 2 colours: white and blue. The official proportions are 8:11.
Hoist
Ratio 8:11
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Israel |
|---|---|
| Country | Israel |
| Official Country Name | State of Israel |
| Capital | Jerusalem |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Western Asia |
| ISO Country Code | IL / ISR |
| Internet Domain | .il |
| Calling Code | +972 |
| Currency | Israeli new shekel (ILS) |
| National Language(s) | Arabic, Hebrew |
| Demonym | Israeli |
| Area | 20,770 km² |
| Population | 9.8 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Israel |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | October 28, 1948 |
| First Used | 1897 |
| Current Version Adopted | October 28, 1948 |
| Flag Proportion | 8:11 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | White, Blue |
| Design Type | White field with two blue stripes and a Star of David |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Israel |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #0038B8 | 0, 56, 184 | 100, 70, 0, 28 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the field of the tallit prayer shawl |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the stripes of the tallit and the sky |
| Star of David | The Magen David, the traditional symbol of the Jewish people |
| Two stripes | The blue bands of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1897 | The design was first used |
| 1948-10-28 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 8:11 |
|---|---|
| Width | 8 units (hoist) |
| Length | 11 units (fly) |
Israel Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Israel
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 78 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 28, 1948 |
| Oldest Version | 1897 |
| Flag Nickname | Degel Yisrael |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Antarctica, Arkansas, Aruba |
| Unique Feature | White field with two blue stripes and a Star of David |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Israel
- The design is based on the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl, with the Star of David placed between its blue stripes.
- The flag was adopted in 1948, five months after the state was established, and was in use by the Zionist movement from 1897.
- The blue is officially described only as a shade of blue rather than a specific value, so reproductions vary noticeably.
- The flag of Israel was officially adopted on October 28, 1948.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1897, 51 years before it was formally made the flag of Israel.
- The flag in its present form is 78 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White field with two blue stripes and a Star of David.
- The flag is known as Degel Yisrael, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Israel".
- The official proportions are 8:11. It shares that ratio with 1 national flag.
- The flag uses 2 colours: white and blue.
- The white on the flag stands for the field of the tallit prayer shawl.
- The blue on the flag stands for the stripes of the tallit and the sky.
- Star of David: The Magen David, the traditional symbol of the Jewish people.
- Two stripes: The blue bands of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba.
- Israel became independent on 14 May 1948 from the British Mandate for Palestine.
- Football and basketball are the most popular sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Israel
When was the flag of Israel adopted?
The flag of Israel was officially adopted on October 28, 1948, though the design had already been in use since 1897.
What do the colours of the flag of Israel mean?
White for the field of the tallit prayer shawl and blue for the stripes of the tallit and the sky.
When did Israel gain independence?
Israel became independent on 14 May 1948 from the British Mandate for Palestine.
What is the national sport of Israel?
Football and basketball are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Israel represent?
Star of David — The Magen David, the traditional symbol of the Jewish people. Two stripes — The blue bands of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl.
What are the proportions of the flag of Israel?
The official ratio is 8:11, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 1 national flag.
What is the national anthem of Israel?
The national anthem is "Hatikvah".
When is the national day of Israel?
It falls on 5 Iyar in the Hebrew calendar, Yom Ha'atzmaut, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Israel?
The national animal is the Israeli gazelle, with the hoopoe as national bird.
What is the capital of Israel?
The capital is Jerusalem. The currency is the Israeli new shekel (ILS) and the language spoken is Arabic, Hebrew.