No, video does not show Adele performing while holding the Palestinian flag

What is the claim?

Numerous posts circulating on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok allege that singer Adele was seen holding a Palestinian flag during a recent performance. One such post was shared with the caption, “Respect to Adele! She’s holding the Palestinian flag and singing her heart out 🇵🇸 #AlShifaHospital #Hamas Erdogan #ShutItDown4Palestine Elon Musk #IsraeliTerrorists #ابو_عبيدة Zionists”. Archived versions of these posts can be found here, here, and here. 

Posts claiming Adele was singing while holding a Palestinian flag (Source: X, Facebook)

However, upon closer examination, the video does not show Adele holding a Palestinian flag.

What is Adele holding?

A reverse image search of keyframes from the clip revealed a more extended version posted on TikTok on October 2, 2023. In the video, Adele is seen singing and walking through an auditorium crowd, carrying a flag identified by some as the Palestinian flag. She interacts with the public, accepting items like stuffed toys.

Towards the end of the video, Adele hands the flag to another person, and it becomes evident that it is not the Palestinian flag but likely the Mexican flag. Although both flags share similar colors, the design etched at the center of the Mexican flag is not present in the Palestinian one. The design structure at the center of the flag in the video resembles the National Coat of Arms present on the official flag of Mexico.

A design similar to the Mexican flag's National Coat of Arms is visible in the flag seen in the viral video. Source: (TikTok, The World Factbook 2021. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2021.)

The Palestinian and Mexican flags. (Source: Wikimedia Commons, The World Factbook 2021. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2021.)

The caption shared with the video reveals that it is from "Weekends with Adele," the singer’s regular show held at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. This show first started in 2021.

The viral video captures visuals from one such show held in September this year. Pictures from the show posted by Adele on X  match the singer’s outfit and look, as seen in the viral video. Several other videos on social media from the performance also show Adele accepting flags, stuffed toys, and other presents given to her by fans. 

We could not find reports or any statements made by Adele on the Israel-Hamas conflict either.

The verdict

The claim is marked as false, as Adele was not holding a Palestinian flag but likely the Mexican flag, presented by an audience member.