Speaker of Ontario Legislature Upholds Keffiyeh Scarf Ban Despite Premier’s Protest

Speaker of Ontario Legislature Upholds Keffiyeh Scarf Ban Despite Premier’s Protest
A young woman helps a child adjust his keffiyeh during a demonstration in Lisbon on April 7, 2024. The Canadian Press/AP/Armando Franca
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The speaker of the Ontario Legislature has upheld a ban on wearing keffiyeh scarves in the chamber, after failing to get a unanimous vote on the issue as politicians from various parties, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have criticized the policy.

On April 18, Speaker Ted Arnott addressed the legislature on the issue, stating that he had received letters from the NDP and the Greens to permit the wearing of the keffiyeh, a scarf worn by Palestinians and their supporters.