All the symbols depicted in the hate symbols database must be evaluated in the context in which they appear. Few symbols represent just one idea or are used exclusively by one group. For example, 100% is often used as an amount or an expression and it is also used by some white supremacists as shorthand for "100% white." Similarly, other symbols in this database may be significant to people who are not extreme or racist. The descriptions here point out significant multiple meanings but may not be able to relay every possible meaning of a particular symbol.
Part of the Hamas-led terror attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, involved armed paragliders flying into Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip and committing acts of terrorism. Some people have since adopted paraglider imagery as a way to celebrate the attacks and show support for terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Such imagery has also been used to intimidate and harass Jewish people and signal support for antisemitic violence.
Because paragliding is a popular recreational activity, paraglider imagery must be judged carefully by the context in which it appears. Images of paragliders that do not appear in the context of antisemitic, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas or similar messaging cannot be assumed to be hateful in nature or supportive of terrorism.
Paraglider imagery used in the context of anti-Israel or antisemitic activity typically shows one or more paragliders, often in combination with the colors of the Palestinian flag (black, white, red, green). The paraglider imagery may also appear alongside depictions of weapons, such as assault rifles, or messages supporting terror and violence, including explicitly naming Hamas or euphemistically referencing “resistance.” Online, some people may also use the parachute emoji (🪂) or paraglider photographs or graphics in conjunction with pro-Hamas, anti-Israel or antisemitic language. Paraglider imagery frequently shows up on signs at anti-Israel protests and can also appear as graffiti in vandalism incidents, including antisemitic incidents.
Additional Images
