The Keffiyeh kerfuffle began with the Speaker of the Legislature’s decision to ban the wearing of the traditional, black and white checkered scarf.

 

 

Doug Ford and the other party leaders attempted to get the ban overturned but failed as the vote was not unanimous.

At least one Conservative MPP, Robin Martin, voted no as a result the ban remains.

The premier who was at an unrelated event in Oakville and not in the legislature said prior to the vote that he wanted to avoid more division on the issue.

”We see the division right now that’s going on. It’s not healthy and this will just divide the community even more,” Ford said.

He also points out he has many friends in the Jewish community as well as a Muslim son-in-law.

B’nai Brith Canada supports a ban saying once a cultural symbol the keffiyeh has become corrupted by radicals, turning it into a divisive symbol used to incite hate.