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

<p>Wasim El-Haj alleges NSW government school ordered him to stop wearing symbolic garment as it ‘may cause discord’</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>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.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/27/palestinian-careers-adviser-who-was-allegedly-told-to-stop-wearing-keffiyeh-at-sydney-school-sues-for-racial-discrimination-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>