An educator at an Oakville high school was caught on video telling a student that his keffiyeh reminds her of a terrorist.
The staff member has since been removed from the school and is facing an investigation for what the school is calling “discriminatory anti-Palestinian racist language.”
The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada is praising the Halton District School Board for acting so quickly — but say they would like to see more.
In a shocking video filmed at Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville, an educator can be heard telling a student to be careful while wearing a keffiyeh — saying it reminds her of Hamas, which has been deemed a terrorist organization in Canada.
The video was filmed on Friday, and by Sunday the high school’s principal released a statement saying the staff member, believed to be a guidance counsellor, had been placed on leave, pending an investigation by the school board.
In a statement, principal John Stieva writes: “We are deeply concerned by this and share our community’s concerns that this behaviour is harmful and unacceptable. Anti-Palestinian racism, and racism in any form, is not tolerated at our school.”
Stieva also writes that the school will be reviewing its “discriminatory and harmful language protocol” with all staff members.
READ MORE: Ontario Federation of Labour to host rally outside Ford’s Etobicoke office over keffiyeh ban
“We’re really happy that Halton District School Board has taken this matter seriously. However, home assignment is really paid leave and we’re looking to see more accountability,” said MACC Executive Director, Tabassum Wyne.
“That’s a call from the community, to ensure there’s accountability, and that this guidance counsellor doesn’t cause harm, further harm, to the community.”
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, thousands of protesters have donned the traditional Arab scarf to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The Muslim advisory council of Canada says they’ve seen a rise in anti-Palestinian incidents in schools since.
Friday’s incident comes the same week that the speaker of the house disciplined Hamilton Centre’s Independent MPP, Sarah Jama, for going against his ban of keffiyehs from Queen’s Park.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has also condemned the incident at the high school, but wouldn’t answer if he believes the keffiyeh ban at Queen’s Park is making an impact.
The Halton District School Board says it can’t comment further on on-going investigations.
READ MORE: Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh