Seems like the Streisand Effect is at play here. I never would have noticed a watermelon as a political symbol if they hadn't reacted this, i would just think it's a bit of whimsy. Now tons of people are reading about it

As many said, it's common knowledge if you've been generally knowledgeable about the colonialism from the 80s and/or if you've been informed because of the current escalation of the genocide.

Israel has had a "military rule" (administratively, judicially, and physically) over a good chunk of Palestinian lands since 1967 (other than what was colonized already). Under military rule law, even the Palestinian flag could put a child in administrative detention (prison with abuse) for an indeterminate amount of time (months to years).

To circumvent the oppressive rule, Palestinians took up the watermelon 🍉 which has the green, black, red, and white of the Palestinian flag.

Never heard of it before.

I would say it's well known among activists, and outside that community, it's only a little known. It's probably about on the level of sunflowers being used as a symbol for support of Ukraine. It's nowhere near as well-known as Winnie the Pooh being used as a symbol of protest against Xi Jinping.

No.

I certainly didn't know that. I thought maybe they were a Saskatchewan Roughrider's Fan

I heard this once a few years ago, said "really?", and then promptly forgot about it until now, where this was briefly new news to me again. Is this like, a very regional specific thing, or am I just out of some very big loops?

I'm actually kind of shocked how many people are saying they're unaware. Not judging, just surprised people haven't been exposed to it with everything going on over the last three years. Are you familiar with the yellow ribbon in association with Israel?

Anyone with any knowledge of the middle east should be aware of it. The genocide has been going on for your entire lifetime. In fact there is no human alive today that was not alive during a period where zionists were not killing Palestinian children.

Yes, provided you have been following the genocide. It's on par with the kufiyeh

watermelon

are watermelons grown in palestine? isnt it water intesive.

“I don’t know if that’s the point of the discussion,” Farber said.

It's not, but it is related to a far more important one.

The current discussion is if a watermelon pin is appropriate attire for a professional. The larger, more important discussion is "What causes are appropriate for someone to publicly support?", and further "Who gets to decide what causes are approved?"

It is, they're just evil.

An analogy about the discussion isn't the point of the discussion? No shit.

Farber is definitely German.