Palestinian careers adviser who was allegedly told to stop wearing keffiyeh at Sydney school sues for racial discrimination

Wasim El-Haj alleges NSW government school ordered him to stop wearing symbolic garment as it ‘may cause discord’

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A Palestinian careers adviser who was allegedly directed to stop wearing a keffiyeh at a Sydney government school because it was a symbol that “may cause discord” has lodged a racial discrimination case in the federal court against the state of New South Wales.

Wasim El-Haj, a former careers adviser at Sydney Girls High School – an inner-city selective government school – alleges the then acting principal told him in 2024 that the keffiyeh was seen as a symbol of conflict. He alleges the state’s conduct is unlawful for breaching the Racial Discrimination Act.

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