If it were up to Johan Vlemmix, his peace flag would soon fly at every town hall in the Netherlands, in support of the Israelis and Palestinians. Amsterdam and Vlaardingen already decided to raise the peace battle. Vlemmix hopes that other municipalities will follow suit. That is why he decided to send a flag to all 342 Dutch municipalities for free.
“Normally I sell the flag for 10 euros, but now I take care of everything. If municipalities want the flag, they just have to indicate it and I will send it for free,” says the Eindhove resident.
The singer and entertainer designed the blue flag with the white dove of peace on it in 2006. His goal then was to stop the war in Iraq. In recent years, he personally donated his flag to several celebrities, including former American President Bill Clinton, singer Justin Bieber and – then – Queen Beatrix.
Now that the conflict between Israel and Hamas has flared up again, he hopes that his flag of peace will be hoisted everywhere. “There is so much discussion about whether or not to raise the Israeli or Palestinian flag that I feel it is appropriate to offer this flag now. This is a neutral flag. This means that municipalities do not have to choose sides.”
Vlemmix – who built nuclear bunkers for years – takes personal interest in what is happening in the world. “It’s terrible for both Israel and Palestine. My motto is always improve the world and start with yourself. That’s why I want to do something.”
He hopes that his flag will fly in all municipalities next week and hopes that other people will also hang up his flag afterwards. Vlemmix is also still planning to travel the world and present the peace flag to all world leaders. He even wrote to Putin about this. “If Putin wants to receive the flag, I will also go to him,” says Vlemmix. “I don’t agree with what he’s doing, but maybe that will change his mind.”
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