Palestinian careers adviser who was allegedly told to stop wearing keffiyeh at NSW school sues state for racial discrimination
Wasim El-Haj alleges NSW government school ordered him to stop wearing symbolic garment as it ‘may cause discord’
Wasim El-Haj, a former careers adviser at Sydney Girls High School, is suing NSW for racial discrimination after allegedly being ordered to stop wearing a keffiyeh at the school. Photograph: The Guardian
A Palestinian Australian 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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