Protestors wearing Palestinian Keffiyeh - file
Nov 13,
2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Cairo.
As the world witnesses increase in the global demonstrations taking to the
streets to support Palestinians against the Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip,
the Palestinian keffiyeh is rising to become a global symbol prevailing
the scene.
Since the beginning of recent Israel’s war on Gaza and the outbreak of demonstrations globally in support of civilians in the Gaza Strip, protestors show solidarity with the victims of Israel's massacres by wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh; a chequered black and white scarf that is usually worn around the neck or head.
The New York Times reported that a diverse group of those who recently
participated in a march for Gaza in Manhattan in downtown New York City wore
the Palestinian keffiyeh and raised the Palestinian flag.
Photos of demonstrators in different countries around the world wearing the famous scarf were shared on social media.
The keffiyeh first gained popularity among activists supporting the
Palestinians in the conflict with Israel, and is considered an icon
of Palestinian solidarity.
Today, the keffiyeh has become an unspoken expression of solidarity with
the Palestinian people, with keffiyehs worn by human rights activists,
politicians, sports stars and even celebrities.
History of the
Palestinian Keffiyeh
The keffiyeh first gained popularity during the Arab Revolt against British colonial rule in 1936.
In the 1960s, with the rise of the Palestinian resistance movement, former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat reinforced this meaning behind the keffiyeh, and it became Arafat's personal trademark as he would drape it over his right shoulder to resemble a map of pre-1948 Palestine.
Arafat, who was rarely seen without his keffiyeh, popularized it
internationally, especially after the Israeli authorities banned the flying of
the Palestinian flag for nearly three decades (1967-1993), the keffiyeh took
its place as a global expression of the Palestinian identity.
What is the scarf made
of?
The keffiyeh is usually made of cotton or linen and is decorated in many
colors, the most famous of which are red, white, black and white, and is square
in shape.
The scarf has three
different patterns, which are:
The Fishing net pattern: This pattern represents the history of
Palestinian sailors and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Olive leaf engraving: This pattern refers to olive trees, which Palestine is famous for, as it represents the second source of exports (seed + oil), and the tree is also considered evidence of steadfastness, strength and courage.
The Bold line: Represents trade routes with merchants in countries
neighboring Palestine.
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