Former careers adviser Wasim El-Haj has lodged a racial discrimination case in the Federal Court against the state of New South Wales, alleging he was unlawfully directed to stop wearing a keffiyeh at Sydney Girls High School. El-Haj’s statement of claim asserts that school leadership told him the traditional Palestinian scarf was a symbol of conflict that “may cause discord” in violation of the Racial Discrimination Act.
Background and Allegations at Sydney Girls High School
Wasim El-Haj began wearing the keffiyeh—a traditional scarf linked to the struggle for a Palestinian state for decades—at the inner-city selective government school in January 2024. This timing followed three months after Hamas’ 7 October attacks and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza. According to the court filing, the then acting school principal, Geoffrey Denyer, met with El-Haj on 15 May 2024 and stated he was directed to tell the adviser to remove the item of clothing. Denyer allegedly indicated that the directive came “from above, possibly from the minister” and warned that action would be taken if El-Haj did not comply.
Following a request for a written record, Denyer emailed El-Haj the same day. The email cited the New South Wales Department of Education’s Controversial Issues and Code of Conduct policies. It stated that the item should not be worn at school or during employment duties, adding that schools must remain free of symbols that stir emotions and cause discord. El-Haj alleges that Denyer stated in a subsequent conversation that “any symbol of Palestine is seen as a symbol of conflict”. In August 2024, El-Haj met with Department official Maria Serafim regarding six anonymous concerns, including that he had worn a symbol of partisan conflict.
Did You Know? Wasim El-Haj began wearing the keffiyeh to Sydney Girls High School in January 2024, three months after the 7 October attacks by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent war on Gaza.
Departmental Appeals and Legal Proceedings
An internal complaint lodged by El-Haj failed to secure the withdrawal of the directive. He subsequently appealed that decision to Murat Dizdar, the secretary of the NSW Department of Education. Dizdar upheld the school’s decision in a February 2025 letter. While Dizdar acknowledged that the keffiyeh is a garment of cultural significance for the Palestinian community, he stated the department aimed to preserve safety, wellbeing, and security across school environments. Dizdar noted that public schools remain politically neutral when external events risk impacting school operations.
El-Haj took leave from his employment from May 2024 through the end of the year and ultimately resigned from Sydney Girls High School in March 2025. His legal action argues that the state of New South Wales engaged in unlawful conduct under section 9(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act. The state has not yet filed its defence in the Federal Court. Federal court records show the matter is scheduled for a case management hearing on 3 November. A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education stated the agency remains committed to maintaining neutral and apolitical school environments in line with its policies, while declining further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who lodged the racial discrimination case?
Former Sydney Girls High School careers adviser Wasim El-Haj lodged the case against the state of New South Wales.
Which laws and policies are central to the dispute?
The legal action alleges a breach of section 9(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act. School and department officials also cited the Department’s Controversial Issues and Code of Conduct policies.
What is the status of the court proceedings?
The state of New South Wales has not yet filed its defence, and the matter is scheduled for a case management hearing on 3 November.
How do public institutions properly balance employee cultural expression with the maintenance of politically neutral environments during international crises?
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