Israeli flag flies over WA Capitol in wake of Hamas attack

As fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli flag is flying over the Washington State Capitol in Olympia.

Gov. Jay Inslee directed the Israeli flag to be raised at the Capitol Wednesday. Inslee also directed flags at all state agencies be lowered to half staff.

"Today, I am directing flags be lowered to half-staff to honor the lives lost, show solidarity with the injured, and for the safe release of those held hostage. We also recognize the sacrifice and service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed to the region," Inslee said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, Washington's two top state Senate leaders — Majority leader Democratic Sen. Andy Billig and Senate Republican Leader John Braun — sent a letter to Gov. Inslee, urging a public showing of support for Israel.

"HAMAS not only holds Americans and Israelis hostage. They also hold the Palestinian people in Gaza hostage. Anyone who opposes their tyrannical rule is killed," the senators wrote in their letter to Inslee. "The United States is Israel’s closest ally and the demonstration of our support for the Jewish homeland is an important show of solidarity ... Lowering our Washington and the United States flags to half-staff will say that we stand with all who have been murdered and oppressed by HAMAS. Flying the Israeli flag over our Capitol will say that, in our corner of the world, we stand with our friends on the front lines whose blood is being shed in the defense of freedom and the quest for peace."

Inslee's flag order comes a day after an estimated crowd of 1,500 gathered at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle's Capitol Hill for a vigil and solidarity event. At that event, Washington's Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray affirmed the United States' commitment to Israel and opposition to Hamas.

"We must show our support for the people of Israel and our stand against terrorism," Cantwell said at the event. "There is no justification for terrorism. The grisly execution of children, of grandmothers, of daughters should be condemned by every country, by every person, and by every religion."

Seattle's Mayor Bruce Harrell has also instructed the city's police to increase patrols around places of worship and to “monitor and respond to any threats.”

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It's not uncommon to see different flags flying outside the Capitol in Olympia. The governor decides which flags to raise next to the United States and Washington state flags. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainian flag flew at the Capitol as well.