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10:21 AM
Reut R. Cohen
Youngsters wouldn't wear swastikas or Klan robes to be chic, yet many adore this symbol of terrorists. I make it explicitly clear in my article that my concern is not with Middle Eastern clothing (which is worn in my own community during hennas and other celebrations), but with the black & white keffiyeh which has become a symbol of Palestinian terrorism. Today this garment is sold as a "anti-war woven scarf" to young people despite that it represents anything but peace. The following is a brief excerpt from my piece published today with Pajamas Media:My distaste for the keffiyeh fashion trend is similar to my displeasure at seeing silly young women sporting Mao handbags, which many Asians and Peruvians take offense to. I would not wear a Che Guevara shirt as I see no reason to identify with a madman who massacred innocent Cubans. Therefore, I believe the general public needs to be cognizant that the trendy scarf they feel compelled to wear is offensive to people like me who have lost loved ones because of PLO terrorism.
I am a Middle Easterner and I am not offended if someone chooses to wear traditionally Middle Eastern clothing. At Sephardi/Mizrahi hennas and weddings, the theme is typically “Middle Eastern” and I have never been ashamed of the culture that my grandparents were from. However, the keffiyeh is a different case altogether as it is a symbol of Palestinian terror and not merely a Middle Eastern garment used to protect oneself from sand or dirt. This trendy scarf has extremely negative connotations — in this case it is a garment that is associated with Arafat, who is arguably one of the most murderous individuals of our time.
While an individual has every right to wear a garment, people need to be aware that symbols — such as the swastika, Klan robe, or keffiyeh — can never be removed from their meanings. It is difficult to separate the political statement of Palestinian terror from this particular garment.
Please click here to read the full article.
3 comments. Leave a comment:
It's a political statement. People wear it here too and they hate Jews with a passion. They look like idiots. It makes me sick. Thank you for this informative article.
Free speech is considered unlimited no matter how abhorrent the form it takes. The recent case of the Pennsylvania high school students testing the limits of free speech and tolerance by wearing the keffiyeh in the presence Jewish students is the latest test. Fortunately, fellow students who object to the keffiyeh can counter-‘punch’ by brandishing of the Cross of St. James on their apparel. This symbol is somewhat benign and Monty-Pythonish enough and therefore less provocative to all but the keffiyeh-wearing provocateurs. Thanks for your blog.
Sergio: I noticed that many Europeans wear keffiyehs because they identify with the cause of Palestinian terror against Israel. Some people I know said they purchased one because it was on sale and only later realized that it had such a negative meaning. I think many American youths aren't aware of what the keffiyeh represents. Thanks for your comment!
Clarion: I agree with you regarding free speech. I pointed out in the article that I believe people should have a right to wear whatever they wish even if it is offensive. My hope, however, is that people who had no idea that the keffiyeh represents a terror movement would reconsider before wearing it again. I wouldn't wear a Che shirt or purchase a Mao handbag. There is no reason to wear such a thing. Thanks for your comment and hope you come back soon.
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