By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 2, 2026 — Members of Mountain City Church in Anchorage placed 1,200 small Israeli flags on church property Thursday in remembrance of those killed in the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and as a show of solidarity with Israel.
About 1 am on Friday, every flag was stolen. Video below shows the thieves at work.
The memorial was in place by about 11 am Oct. 1 and remained on display throughout the day. Each flag represented a human life lost during the attacks. Approximately 1,200 people were killed in Israel, including civilians and members of the security forces. The victims included Israelis and foreign nationals. Forty-six Americans were killed.
The display came less than a week before the third anniversary of the attacks.
Associate Pastor Cody Anderson explains:
Surveillance footage provided to The Alaska Story shows several people who appeared to be males moving quickly through the church grounds after dark. They bend down and snatch flags before quickly moving on.
Watch the surveillance video clip here:
A group of thieves steals every one of the 1,200 Israeli flags at an Anchorage Church that were placed in memory of Oct. 7 victims of terrorism. pic.twitter.com/UR6eibPCJD
— TheAlaskaStory.com (@Downing907) October 2, 2026
Or view it here:
The removal raises concerns that extend beyond one congregation: Whether churches and community members can peacefully express their faith and convictions on their own property without having their displays taken in Anchorage.
For Mountain City Church, the flags served both as a memorial to the victims of terrorism and a visible expression of support for Israel. That expression was removed within hours of members putting it in place.
A police report is being filed.
Two year anniversary of the Hamas attack, remembering the day evil showed its true self
Truck associated with this incident:
One thought on “1,200 Israeli memorial flags taken by thieves from Mountain City Church property in Anchorage”
The Baptists can now join in with the Eagle River Catholics, whose church has been desecrated THREE times in recent years. Phallic symbols spray-painted on the walls and dropping huge amounts of nails in the parking lot. The reason: having a conservative lecturer and 24 hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. But stealing 1200 Israeli flags?