Lebanese Singer Elissa Sparks Controversy After Throwing Palestinian Keffiyeh Back at Tunisian Audience

During a recent concert in Tunis, Lebanese singer Elissa faced controversy after a Palestinian keffiyeh was thrown at her from the crowd. Video footage shows Elissa picking up the keffiyeh, examining it briefly, and then tossing it back into the audience. The singer's intentions were unclear, but the incident quickly sparked debate online.

Some viewers accused Elissa of refusing to show solidarity with Palestinians, citing tensions between Lebanon's Christian population and Palestinian refugees. Others defended her, pointing to a 2024 performance in Malmo, Sweden, where she was seen wearing a keffiyeh thrown to her by fans, suggesting she does support the Palestinian cause.

Elissa did not directly address the controversy but expressed affection for Tunisia and its people on her Twitter account. Earlier in 2026, she had publicly condemned Hezbollah and Iran, calling for decisive government action to protect Lebanese citizens from what she described as a terrorist organization that had lost its resistance status. This context adds complexity to the reactions surrounding the keffiyeh incident in Tunisia.