Re: “Of course the keffiyeh is political. But it still shouldn’t be banned from Ontario’s legislature”

"Palestine is even more necessary is not only outrageous, but it reinforces the lack of consideration of the 75-year-old grievances that Palestinians and allies have been voicing even before October 7 by wearing the keffiyeh in the Ontario legislature."

RE: Of course the keffiyeh is political. But it still shouldn’t be banned from Ontario’s legislature

May 10, 2024

Urback starts her opinion piece by implying that people who wear the keffiyeh need to be somehow connected to the Levant to do so. However, Urback is dismissing the fact that more and more people are wearing the keffiyeh to show support for Palestinians who are facing the continuation of the Nakba regardless of their social, economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. It has been worn by Palestinians and allies, including MPP Sarah Jama even before October 7. Until Arnott decided unilaterally to ban the keffiyeh on April 17, 2024, it was common to see Sarah Jama adorning the keffiyeh. Arnott deciding to ban the keffiyeh just now when showing support for Palestine is even more necessary is not only outrageous, but it reinforces the lack of consideration of the 75-year-old grievances that Palestinians and allies have been voicing even before October 7 by wearing the keffiyeh in the Ontario legislature.