Wasim El-Haj, a former careers adviser at Sydney Girls High School, has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the New South Wales government. He alleges that he was instructed to stop wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian garment, due to concerns it could incite discord within the school environment.
El-Haj claims that the school's administration, citing policies on controversial issues, deemed the keffiyeh a symbol of conflict. Despite his internal complaints, the school's directive remained in place, leading to his resignation in March 2025. The case is set for a management hearing on November 3.