Rachael Ray Caught Up In Terrorist Scandal

A Dunkin Donuts commercial featuring beloved U.S. TV chef RACHAEL RAY has been ditched after critics accused her of dressing like a terrorist in the ad.

Ray, who was announced as the company's new spokeswoman last year (Mar07), appears in the commercial wearing a black-and-white scarf, alleged to be symbolic of a keffiyeh - a traditional headdress worn by Arab men.

Fox news columnist Michelle Malkin explains the garment "...has come to symbolise murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularised 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-soignorant fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons."

Dunkin' Donuts bosses first dismissed complaints, claiming Ray's black-and-white wrap was merely misinterpreted, but an ensuing firestorm forced them to quickly pull the ad from rotation.

A statement from company executives reads, "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."