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.
El-Haj began wearing the keffiyeh at school in January 2024, three months after Hamas’ 7 October attacks and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
Denyer also said words to the effect of the direction had come “from above, possibly from the minister” and that action would be taken if El-Haj did not comply, the statement of claim alleges.
El-Haj took leave from his work from May 2024 until the end of the year and resigned from Sydney Girls High School in March 2025.
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El-Haj began wearing the keffiyeh at school in January 2024, three months after Hamas’ 7 October attacks and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
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Wasim El-Haj alleges NSW government school ordered him to stop wearing symbolic garment as it ‘may cause discord’.
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 alleges the then acting principal told him in 2024 that the keffiyeh was seen as a symbol of conflict.
El-Haj began wearing the keffiyeh at school in January 2024, three months after Hamas’ 7 October attacks and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
His statement of claim, filed in the federal court last month, alleges Geoffrey Denyer, the then acting school principal, met with him on 15 May 2024 and said words to the effect of “I have been directed to direct you to remove this item of clothing”, indicating to El-Haj’s keiffeyh.
Denyer also said words to the effect of the direction had come “from above, possibly from the minister” and that action would be taken if El-Haj did not comply, the statement of claim alleges.
In August 2024, El-Haj met with Maria Serafim, an NSW Department of Education official, who detailed six anonymous concerns, including that he had worn a symbol of “partisan conflict” by wearing the keffiyeh, the statement of claim alleges.
El-Haj took leave from his work from May 2024 until the end of the year and resigned from Sydney Girls High School in March 2025.
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