‘Outrageous’ Says Chicago Jewish Alliance of City’s Mayor Wearing Keffiyeh

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces backlash for wearing keffiyeh

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to wear a keffiyeh at an event sparked backlash from local Jewish leaders, citing concerns over antisemitic symbolism.

Chicago mayor donned keffiyeh for Arab Heritage Month event, sparking outcry from Jewish groups - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson came under fire from local Jewish leaders after he wore a keffiyeh, or a traditional Palestinian headscarf, to a public event this week. The Chicago chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations posted a picture of Johnson with its executive director, Ahmed Rehab, at an event to mark Arab Heritage Month. In it, Johnson, who was elected in 2023, is wearing a black-and-white keffiyeh. “Chicago Mayor Brandon Joh…

Jewish Groups Blast Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for Wearing Keffiyeh During Arab Heritage Event

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson donned a Palestinian keffiyeh this week to commemorate Arab American Heritage Month, drawing outrage from Jewish organizations in the Windy City. The Chicago mayor's office held a celebration on Tuesday acknowledging the contributions and culture of Arab Americans. The event featured various members of the Arab American community, including the controversial

‘Outrageous’ Says Chicago Jewish Alliance of City’s Mayor Wearing Keffiyeh

(JNS) – The Chicago Jewish Alliance denounced Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday after the local chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations posted a photo of him wearing a keffiyeh to celebrate Arab Heritage Month. “This is outrageous,” the alliance wrote. “For the mayor of Chicago to stand there—cloaked in a symbol now synonymous […]

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Public Wearing of Keffiyeh ‘Deeply Painful to Many in Chicago Jewish Community’ – Combat Antisemitism Movement

“While the keffiyeh is a traditional Middle Eastern garment with cultural significance, in recent decades it has often been used as a political symbol — particularly by extremist groups that promote violence against the Jewish people and seek the destruction of the State of Israel. ... We understand that Mayor Johnson may not have intended to cause harm, but at a time of historic antisemitic threat levels, including in Chicago, symbols matter.”