Justin Bieber slammed for donning keffiyeh after showing support for Israel
Canadian singer Justin Bieber has been slammed online for wearing a keffiyeh as he was spotted leaving the Chateau Marmont over the weekend in Los Angeles.
The keffiyeh, a chequered fabric, has come to represent Palestinian solidarity, resistance and steadfastness.
The scarf has been seen over the last year at pro-Palestine rallies and protests, as people around the world call for a Gaza ceasefire.
The 30-year-old was photographed with the keffiyeh wrapped around his head while driving his car.
Online, many slammed the singer for his support for Israel, amidst the ongoing war on Gaza which has killed at least 41, 870 Palestinians and wounded more than 97,166 others.
“Never forget when Justin Bieber posted ‘praying for Israel’ with the picture of Gaza being destroyed and when people called him out he deleted the story and posted ‘praying for Israel without the image" one person wrote.
Others stated that him wearing the keffiyeh does not show his support for Palestine, rather could be a fashion statement, or questioned if he knew the symbolism behind it.
"After that pray for Israel post he needs to do a lot more than wear a keffiyeh to make up for it" one social media user wrote.
“Don’t be delusional. That man has never spoken in support of Palestine. He’s very ignorant, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he supports Israel" another wrote.
German tabloid Bild reported on Bieber donning the keffiyeh, with the headline "Do you actually know what you’re wearing, Justin?" and suggesting that it is a symbol of anti-Semitism.
The move comes as Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon approaches the one-year mark and has devastated the enclave. The bombardment of the Gaza Strip has levelled entire neighbourhoods and plunged it into a deep humanitarian crisis.