Jacksonville Mayor Responds to Criticism Over Ramallah Club Photos

The mayor's office acknowledges the photos should have been posted on a different day.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is responding to criticism about photos posted on her social media account on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which showed her speaking at The Ramallah Club's annual installation of officers. The Jewish Federation of Northeast Florida called the timing of the photos "insensitive and tone deaf." Deegan's administration said the photos were taken on Saturday but not posted until Tuesday, and that the mayor has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the Jewish community.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights the delicate balance of engaging with diverse communities while also being mindful of important cultural and historical events. As the mayor of a diverse city, Deegan's actions and messaging are closely scrutinized, especially when they involve sensitive topics like the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The details

The photos at the center of the controversy show Deegan speaking at a podium draped with a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, next to a Palestinian flag. The pressure appears to have started when a state official criticized the image, describing the keffiyeh as "commonly worn by and associated with Hamas terrorists." Deegan's administration said the photos were taken on Saturday during the Ramallah Club's annual installation of officers, but were not posted until Tuesday, which was Holocaust Remembrance Day.

  • The photos were taken on Saturday, January 25, 2026 during the Ramallah Club's annual installation of officers.
  • The photos were posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, which was Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The players

Donna Deegan

The mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, who posted the photos of herself at the Ramallah Club event.

The Ramallah Club of Jacksonville

A longstanding local chapter of the American Federation of Ramallah, a nonprofit and nonpolitical civic and cultural organization that serves Palestinians who trace their roots to the city of Ramallah.

The Jewish Federation of Northeast Florida

An organization that called the timing of Deegan's post "insensitive and tone deaf" due to it being posted on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Jeremy Redfern

The communications director for Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier, who criticized the image of Deegan on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Ron Salem

A Jacksonville City Council member and longtime member of the Ramallah Club.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone from Jacksonville knows the Ramallah Club is a Palestinian civic organization that was founded by Christians from Ramallah and that has been contributing to our city for more than a century. I was proud to be joined on the dais by Councilman Ron Salem, a longtime member of the club, and was pleased to see Congressman John Rutherford there as well to celebrate the club's impact on Saturday.”

— Donna Deegan, Mayor of Jacksonville

“The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida is deeply saddened and disheartened by a social media post shared yesterday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan on X (formerly Twitter), posting a photo of herself with a keffiyeh and Palestinian flag. While we believe our mayor should speak to and engage with every community, posting a photo of herself with a keffiyeh and Palestinian flag on Holocaust Remembrance Day was insensitive and tone deaf. This day is a solemn, nonpolitical moment dedicated to honoring the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and standing against antisemitism.”

— The Jewish Federation of Northeast Florida

“The Ramallah community is an important part of the fabric of our city. I'll always take part in recognizing that as my heritage, and I'm proud of that. Last night at the Jacksonville City Council meeting, my colleagues and I took a moment of silence and reflection for the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. This day serves as reflection and a reminder of the victims and that horror must never happen again. I find it appalling that Mayor Deegan failed to recognize that yesterday, and I think she owes the Jacksonville Jewish community an apology.”

— Ron Salem, Jacksonville City Council member

“This characterization of Mayor Deegan simply doesn't reflect what actually occurred! She was there at the Ramallah Club's invitation, along with Congressman John Rutherford and City Councilman Ron Salem, to witness the swearing in of the club's new officers.”

— Joy Batteh-Freiha, Past Ramallah Club of Jacksonville president and current national president of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine

What’s next

The mayor's office has acknowledged that the photos should have been posted on Saturday instead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, and that the city should have posted something to mark the solemn occasion. It remains to be seen if the mayor will issue a formal apology to the Jewish community.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance that elected officials must strike when engaging with diverse communities, especially around sensitive historical events. While the mayor has a track record of supporting the Jewish community, the timing and symbolism of her Ramallah Club post caused significant pain and underscores the need for greater cultural awareness and sensitivity in public messaging.