3 US students shot at for wearing the keffiyeh. What does the Palestinian keffiyeh symbolise?

Three Palestinian college students - two US citizens and one legal resident - were shot on their way to a Thanksgiving dinner in Burlington, Vermont after being spotted donning the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf and speaking in Arabic. 

What

Urged as a hate crime by the victims' families, the students, Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ahmed, and Kinnan Abdalhamid, were wearing keffiyeh scarves and speaking Arabic when attacked near the University of Vermont Campus. While two are stable, one faces serious injuries. 

• The incident, condemned by Bernie Sanders and the Palestinian Mission to the US, highlights rising Islamophobic incidents amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. 
• Law enforcement is investigating the crime, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations offers a $10,000 reward for information on the suspect.

The assailants' apparent targeting of the victims for wearing the keffiyeh, traditional scarves symbolising Palestinian heritage, adds a layer of profound significance to the tragic event, given the ongoing Israeli retaliation in Gaza.

What is the keffiyeh?

The keffiyeh, a chequered black and white scarf traditionally worn around the neck or head, has evolved into a powerful symbol of Palestinian nationalism. 

• Its roots can be traced back to the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine, gaining prominence as a representation of resistance and unity against oppression.
• Initially worn by Palestinian farmers during the Ottoman period to signify rural identity in contrast to the urban tarboosh (men's cap), the keffiyeh later became a symbol of Palestinian nationalism during the Arab Revolt of the 1930s.

Yasser Arafat’s style

Former Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, a key figure in the Palestinian resistance movement, further elevated the keffiyeh's symbolism.

• Adopting the black-and-white fishnet pattern keffiyeh as his personal emblem, Arafat rarely appeared without it. 
• His unique way of wearing the scarf, draped over his right shoulder in the shape of a triangle, symbolised the territorial outlines claimed by Palestine.
• This distinctive presentation became an iconic symbol of Arafat's leadership and the Palestinian cause.

Patterned symbolism

The patterns within the keffiyeh hold deep cultural and historical significance. 

• The fishnet pattern, dominating the design, reflects the relationship between Palestinian fishermen and the sea. It symbolises not only abundance and grace, but also the profound sense of freedom, particularly poignant for Palestinians in the West Bank who face restricted access to the sea due to military constraints. 
• The sea-wave pattern signifies the strength and resilience of Palestinian communities enduring 73 years under military occupation and oppression. It serves as a visual representation of the endurance and perseverance of a people facing adversity.
• The bold pattern in the keffiyeh design carries historical connotations, representing the trade routes that traversed Palestine. These routes played a vital role in shaping the rich and diverse culture of Palestinian communities, emphasising the integral role of Palestine in regional trade and history.
• The fishnet pattern has also sprung a more grim interpretation as a barbed wire - a nod to the ever-present reminder of the occupation.

In the context of the Vermont shooting, the keffiyeh's symbolism takes on a tragic significance. The victims, targeted for their cultural identity, faced not only physical harm but a symbolic assault on their Palestinian heritage. 

As investigations unfold, it is essential to recognise the keffiyeh not merely as a piece of clothing but as a potent emblem of resilience, identity, and resistance for the Palestinian people.