Dupage Policy Journal

Jeanne Ives, founder of Breakthrough Ideas, said Glenbard South school officials were insensitive for permitting a student to wear a keffiyeh and display a Palestinian flag at graduation just a day after the deadly attack on two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C.

"24-hours after a young Jewish couple were murdered, tone-deaf Glenbard South Leaders ignore student wearing a keffiyeh who unfurls a Palestinian flag banner during graduation," said Jeanne M Ives.

On May 23, Laurie Higgins wrote a column for Breakthrough Ideas regarding the event. She said that administrators and faculty did not intervene when an unnamed female student crossed the stage with a large keffiyeh draped over her gown and a "Free Palestine" flag around her neck during the Glenbard South High School graduation in Glen Ellyn. Higgins characterized the student's actions as grandstanding that disrupted the ceremony.

SCreenshot of Jeanne Ives' May 23 post on X | X

According to Amy Grandsard, a resident of Glen Ellyn who wrote to the DuPage Policy Journal about the incident, she questioned whether political statements and flags are now allowed at Glenbard South graduations. "Would you allow a student to pull out a Nazi flag and walk across the stage and have them photographed with their diploma holding this piece of propaganda? Both flags have the same message," Grandsard wrote. "You allowed this student to walk across the stage, display the Palestinian flag, and be photographed. What a disgrace."

The keffiyeh is recognized as a traditional Arab headdress that has become symbolic of Palestinian identity. NPR reports that Palestinians have embraced its patterns over the past decade, including designs representing olive trees, ties to the Mediterranean, and historic trade routes through Palestine. The black-and-white scarf is associated with Palestinian nationalism and resistance against Israel. NPR also noted that Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida wears a red-and-white keffiyeh in videos where he praises attacks.

Jeanne Ives previously served as an Illinois State Representative for six years representing House District 42. She ran for governor in 2018 and sought election to represent Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in 2020.