'Worst Possible Decision': Justin Bonomo Speaks After Palestine Scarf Controversy

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Dec 19, 2024 5 min read

The first-ever World Series of Poker Paradise Super Main Event has been an event to remember with one of the most entertaining high-stakes players enjoying a dominant chip lead, an accomplished science communicator making a rare return to cards, and the man who ignited the Poker Boom falling just short of the final table.

Yet all of this was overshadowed on Wednesday's Day 4 by a checkered black-and-white piece of traditional Middle Eastern garb that almost led to poker's second-winningest player of all time being disqualified from the $50 million guaranteed event.

Justin Bonomo, who sits second on The Hendon Mob all-time money list, was asked by WSOP officials to remove his Palestinian keffiyeh voluntarily during Day 3. Bonomo, a vocal supporter of Palestine in its conflict with Israel, refused. As the event reached the final two tables, they told him he would be disqualified if he did not remove it.

"It was a surprise that they threatened to disqualify me from the tournament," Bonomo told PokerNews during a break on Day 3. "I haven't been causing any trouble, I haven't said anything to anyone ... And obviously we're playing for a lot of money, so I decided to stop wearing it."

Later today, the three-time bracelet winner will play at the streamed final table as one of nine players eyeing the $6 million top prize, which would push him within $3 million of all-time money leader Bryn Kenney. While the keffiyeh is gone, Bonomo has requested a Palestinian flag ahead of his final table appearance and said he had the WSOP's blessing.

Read More About the Near Disqualification

"I've Just Been Quiet & Wearing It"

Bonomo wore the keffiyeh throughout the event without issue. Another player, poker author Michael Acevedo, was even wearing a similar scarf when the two were seated at the same table on Day 1b.

"I haven't talked to anyone about it," Bonomo said in an interview with PokerNews. "I've just been quiet and wearing it. It's been good luck."

Photos of Bonomo in the scarf went viral on X and four-time bracelet winner Mike Matusow notably called for the poker pro to be jailed. Other high-profile critics of Bonomo include GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu and six-time bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi. But according to WSOP, the issue "was simply a matter of broadcast clearance."

“The request for removal of Mr. Bonomo’s Keffiyeh once he reached the TV production table was simply a matter of broadcast clearance. Our future distribution platforms for Super Main Event do not allow garments deemed controversial or political in nature," officials said in a written statement.

This isn't the first time political attire has caused threats of disqualification from poker tournaments. PokerStars banned displays of political statements in 2014 during European Poker Tour (EPT) events. Two players who teamed up to win the Tag Team event at the 2021 WSOP wore "Free Palestine" shirts during play, but the images were excluded from the winner photos.

PokerStars Bans Display of Political Statements at European Poker Tour Events

"Wrong Side of This"

The WSOP rulebook states "property hosts reserve the right at all times to impose a ban on any apparel deemed objectionable by Host Properties, in its sole and absolute discretion." But Bonomo said he believed officials were inconsistent in their stance against political statements and pointed out that earlier in the series the WSOP hosted a charity event that raised $140,000 for the widows and orphans of fallen Israeli soldiers, which he had harshly criticized on social media.

"My take on it is that if the World Series wants to have a policy against politics always, I would be fine with that," he said. "But they recently decided to hold a charity tournament for the Israeli defense forces ... but I just can't wear a scarf."

"If they want to have a policy that's absolutely no politics, I'm okay with that. But I think it's the worst possible decision that they've taken the other side and decided to endorse Israeli charities while banning Palestinian clothes. That is just so completely lopsided and unfair ... So I think the World Series is absolutely on the wrong side of this."

Matt Berkey called the disqualification threat "maybe the most insane over step by an operator in recent memory," while other prominent players who criticized the decision include commentator Jamie Kerstetter and playboy Dan Bilzerian, a vocal critic of Israel who has been called antisemitic for his rhetoric. Others like Andy Bloch defended the WSOP's freedom to restrict certain speech at their events.

Similar pro-Palestine controversies took place at during the 2014 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) stop and again at the 2021 WSOP when Samy Dighlawi won the Tag Team event wearing a "Free Palestine" shirt.

Even before the disqualification threat, Bonomo had promised to donate a portion of his Super Main Event winnings to a charity that supports Palestine. He is guaranteed at least $750,000 with $6 million up top for the eventual champion.

Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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