Dunkin Donuts has abruptly pulled an ad in which Rachael Ray wears a scarf which resembles, according to conservative commentator Michelle Malkin at least, a keffiyeh — a traditional scarf of Arab men.

Malkin goes on to say:

‘‘Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant and not-so-ignorant fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons.’’

Dunkin Donuts denied that the scarf was a keffiyeh. But after right-wing pressure, they yanked the ad, saying,

‘‘In a recent online ad, Rachael Ray is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design. It was selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we are no longer using the commercial.’’

What do you think? Should Dunkin Donuts have pulled the ad? And does the scarf resemble a keffiyeh? Or is this just paranoia and fearmongering?

(via Boston Magazine)