Racial Justice Centre to File Complaint Against Sydney Restaurant for Banning Palestinian Keffiyehs

Strategic Insights -

Six Palestinian protesters, including Amir, were allegedly denied dine-in service at Jimmy's Falafel in Sydney's CBD because they were wearing traditional Palestinian keffiyehs during a 20-minute period last weekend. The protesters, who were part of the pro-Palestine protest march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, were reportedly told by a security guard that they would have to remove their keffiyehs to be allowed to enter the venue. The Racial Justice Centre has announced that it will file a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission on behalf of the six complainants, citing a breach of the federal Racial Discrimination Act.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six Palestinian complainants, including Amir, were allegedly denied dine-in service at Jimmy's Falafel in Sydney's CBD for wearing traditional Palestinian keffiyehs during a 20-minute period last weekend.
  • The security guard allegedly told the protesters that they would have to remove their keffiyehs to be allowed to enter the venue, citing a private establishment's policy.
  • Merivale, the owner of Jimmy's Falafel, claims that the decision was made to maintain safety and security following instances of violent rhetoric and protests at their venues on George Street.
  • Merivale denies any policy against customers wearing keffiyehs or other scarves, but the Racial Justice Centre insists that the incident breaches the federal Racial Discrimination Act.
  • Amir, one of the protesters, fears wearing a keffiyeh in public or expressing his opinion about the conflict in the Middle East after being humiliated by the incident.
  • Four other individuals, who were not part of the complaint, also reported being told they would be barred from eating inside at Jimmy's Falafel unless they removed their keffiyehs.

Sources:

  • The Racial Justice Centre
  • Guardian Australia
  • Sydney Morning Herald
  • Merivale
  • Racial Discrimination Act

Statistics:

  • 6 Palestinian protesters were allegedly denied dine-in service at Jimmy's Falafel.
  • The incident occurred during a 20-minute period last weekend.
  • 4 other individuals, not part of the complaint, also reported being told to remove their keffiyehs to be allowed to eat inside.
  • The Racial Justice Centre is planning to file a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission on behalf of the six Palestinian complainants.
  • The incident raises concerns about the treatment of Palestinian protesters and the potential breach of the federal Racial Discrimination Act.
  • A Merivale spokesperson stated that no Merivale venues, including Jimmy's Falafel, have policies on customers wearing keffiyehs or other scarves.