'Perfect choice' to 'disturbing': NHL All-Star anthem singer's pro-Palestinian attire in Toronto spurs debate
Kiana Ledé sang the U.S. national anthem ahead of the game on Saturday while wearing a keffiyeh-style sweater.
A singer's pro-Palestinian attire at the NHL All-Star game in Toronto on Saturday is causing some division on social media.
Kiana Ledé performed the American national anthem ahead of the match at the Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 3 wearing a black and white sweater that resembled a Palestinian keffiyeh.
But following the performance, a director for the Pacific chapter of the Jewish National Fund of Canada — an organization that "is building the foundations for Israel's future, according to its website — called out the NHL on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Michael Sachs called Ledé an "interesting choice of singer" for the event, asking the NHL, "Is there not a vetting process in place?"
In the post, which has been viewed more than 500,000 times as of Sunday afternoon, he included a screenshot of a post Ledé shared on her own account in December about future concerts. In that post, she urged fans to come to her shows wearing any sign they can to support Palestinians, ending the note saying "if you're a Zionist, feel free to stay your a— at home."
Some X users were questioning why Sachs had an issue with the singer's choice of clothing.
I just have a question, to all the people saying, "this is a disgrace" or "NHL needs to go do better vetting", etc... are individuals not allowed to bring awareness to something they feel strongly about?
— Jameel ???? (@JJs_playground) February 4, 2024
Vetting process.... For what? People who disagree with you? If she had worn a star of David would you be asking the question?
— Deborah McNamara (she/her) (@zookeepermc) February 4, 2024
I love it. Going to get one made for myself. Deal with it.
— Khalil ??? ???? (@KhalilYeg) February 3, 2024
Its weird to see genocide supporters cry about others not supporting genocide lol. Keep crying
— Samira A (@Its_Samira) February 3, 2024
Others sided with Sachs on the incident, with some also calling out the NHL.
I thought, "no way.. that can't be a sweater in the pattern of a kaffeyeh?! " How inappropriate for the NHL to allow this to happen! pic.twitter.com/qCzdKfXDOd
— Shannon Schulz (@ShannonSchulz3) February 3, 2024
A singer who has told people who support Israel to stay home is given the red carpet treatment at the #NHLAllStar game. After the IIHF banned #Israel from playing in international tournaments, the NHL stepped in and did the right thing to raise significant concerns with the… https://t.co/KJrtyOtSEm
— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) February 4, 2024
On her Instagram Stories, Ledé shared she was "given this cardigan" from a British brand called ANZ at one of her London shows. The brand, founded by Ainy Naim, reinvents heritage knitwear and creates a "Palestine Forever" line with clothing donning statements like "free Palestine" and "Palestine is freeing us."
"I never wanna take it off," Ledé — who has often been vocal about her support for Palestine in the past — added in her post on Saturday.
