Doha, Qatar: Amid the Israeli aggressions against Palestinian in Gaza and various Palestinian cities, the Palestinian scarf known as "keffiyeh" stands out prominently in global demonstrations in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Recognized by black and white, and sometimes red and white checkered pattern, the keffiyeh traditionally drapes around the wearer's neck or head.
Initially worn by Palestinian farmers in the Ottoman period, the keffiyeh highlighted the wearer's rural background, differentiating them from urban elites who donned the tarboosh –a fez— its significance evolved with time.
During the Arab Revolt against British rule - when Palestinians rallied for independence and objected to policies favoring Jewish immigration and land acquisition - the keffiyeh became a symbol of the Palestinian identity.
Men of all ranks wore it, and the leadership’s adoption of the scarf over the tarboosh solidified its symbolic relevance.
Palestinian ex-President Yasser Arafat
Iconic Palestinian ex-President Yasser Arafat, frequently captured in photographs donning the keffiyeh, further accentuated its emblematic value, making it an almost invariable feature of his public appearances
The keffiyeh's international spotlight as a symbol of Palestinian support was notably prominent during the second Al-Aqsa Intifada.
This uprising followed Ariel Sharon's entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compounds on September 28, 2000, backed by a sizeable Israeli military presence.
The ensuing clashes led to significant casualties on both sides.
Notably, the fashion industry worldwide has recognized the keffiyeh's distinct design, incorporating it into a myriad of products.
Its widespread use by pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world further underscores its deep-rooted symbolic relevance.
