May 28, 2008 Rachael Ray-Dunkin Donuts commercial pulled Play video

(NECN) - Rachael Ray was just trying to sell iced coffee but instead, her commercial brewed up a controversy. Is that a kaffiyeh around Ray’s neck? A kaffiyeh is a traditional scarf and headdress worn by Arab men, but has also been considered an emblem of Palestinian independence and Islamic radicalism.

Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin looked at the ad and saw, not a scarf, but a kafeeya...and thought of Osama Bin Laden...and Yasser Arafat. In her syndicated column, she said, “as 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.”

The sentiment was echoed by WTKK radio talk show host Jay Severin.

“No one save an ignoramus wears this without intending to make a statement. And that statement, is in some way insinuating of sympathy with Palestinian terrorists and with Jihad.”

Dunkin Donuts promptly pulled the ad.

David: “I think it's somewhat ironic that from the political constituencies that generally decry political correctness we have an instance of political correctness.”

Bentley College Sociology Professor Gary David has spent over a decade studying the issue of Arab American identity.

“Clothing from all over the world is worn by Americans as we have global commerce and culture. And the idea that any one item is going to be particularly offensive

Dunkin Donut's executives say this was just a paisley scarf, not a kafeeyah.

"Absolutely no symbolism was intended," wrote Dunkin brand Vice President Margie Myers, “however, given the possibility of misperception, as of this past weekend, we are no longer using the commercial."

“I think it's largely an issue of intent, and here it's clearly not an intent. It wasn't even a kaafeeya, so Dunkin Donuts really should be careful to consider all the constituencies of people they might be offending by cancelling the ad.”

Jay Saverin disagrees: How would a cowboy hat go over in a Muslim country?