Speaker Ted Arnott has prohibited Palestinian kaffiyehs from being worn by anyone — MPPs or guests — in the Ontario legislature over concerns the scarves make “an overt political statement.”
“After extensive research, I concluded that the wearing of kaffiyehs at the present time in our assembly is intended to be a political statement,” Arnott said late Wednesday.
But 90 minutes after the Star broke news of the ban, Premier Doug Ford issued a statement urging him to reconsider.
“The decision to ban the kaffiyeh was made by the Speaker and the Speaker alone. I do not support his decision as it needlessly divides the people of our province,” said Ford.
“I call on the Speaker to reverse his decision immediately,” he said.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie echoed that in a statement, saying “this is a time when leaders should be looking for ways to bring people together, not to further divide us.”
“I urge Speaker Arnott to immediately reconsider this move to ban the kaffiyeh,” said Crombie.
But Arnott, who oversees the legislative precinct and is independent of the premier, said he “cannot authorize the wearing of kaffiyehs based on our long-standing conventions.”
“The Ontario legislature has long sought to restrict the wearing of clothing or other apparel that is intended to make an overt political statement,” said the Speaker, noting he reminded MPPs on Feb. 24 of “our standard practice of decorum.”
“It has long been the established practice of this house that members should not use props, signage or accessories that are intended to express a political message or are likely to cause disorder. This also extends to members’ attire, where logos, symbols, slogans and other political messaging are not permitted,” he said.
Since the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent retaliation in Gaza by the Israeli Defense Force, the traditional black and white kaffiyehs have become a common sight at pro-Palestinian rallies in Toronto and around the world.
Some protesters wear them on their heads while others wrap them around their necks.
Kaffiyehs have a lengthy and complicated history, dating back thousands of years. Traditionally worn by men, the scarves are common throughout the Arab world, where they have long been worn as protection from sand and the desert sun.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles wrote to Arnott last Friday asking him “to reconsider this interpretation, and to make clear to everyone who works in and visits our provincial legislature that all cultures will be treated with equal respect.”
“It has come to my attention that legislative security has recently begun prohibiting the wearing of kaffiyehs in the legislative precinct by members, staff and the public. I want to express my disappointment in this development and urge you to reconsider the directive,” wrote Stiles.
“The assembly has always permitted members, staff and guests to openly celebrate their culture, including wearing traditional clothing that represents their history, culture or faith, and I don’t believe it is your intention to change that precedent,” the New Democrat wrote, likening the scarves to “kilts, kirpans, vyshyvankas and chubas” that have been worn in the chamber.
“Each of these clothing items have national and cultural associations, and each have, at times, been banned or considered as political symbols in need of suppression,” she noted.
“Indigenous and non-Indigenous members have also dressed in traditional regalia and symbols in the assembly, and the cultural meaning of these items cannot be separated from their historical and political significance,” added Stiles.
“It is part of the story of who we are as a province. Palestinians are part of that story, and the kaffiyeh is a traditional clothing item that is significant not only to them but to many members of Arab and Muslim communities. That includes members of my staff who have been asked to remove their kaffiyehs in order to come to work. This is unacceptable.”
Stiles pointed out that “the fact that the House of Commons and other provincial legislatures have allowed the wearing of kaffiyehs in the chamber and in the precinct makes the Ontario legislature an outlier.”
But Arnott countered that the use of the kaffiyeh has changed since the Oct. 7 attacks, which is why the policy was implemented.
“These items are not absolutes and are not judged in a vacuum. To illustrate this point, let me offer that prior to the statements and debates that occurred in our house last fall, the kaffiyeh was not considered a form of protest at the Ontario legislature — nor was it an article of clothing frequently worn by members or guests,” he said.
“The Speaker cannot be aware of the meaning of every symbol or pattern but when items are drawn to my attention, there is a responsibility to respond.”
