The Hamas government in the Gaza Strip nullified its injunction that female attorneys wear a traditional Islamic dress when appearing in court.
The Supreme Justice Council in Gaza announced that its previous decision was not issued as an official government decree, but as the personal opinion of the justice council's chairman. However, since the issue gained undue momentum in the Strip, "we are announcing that female lawyers are asked only to appear in modest dress from now on."
The Supreme Justice Council's decision caused an uproar amongst female lawyers and various rights groups. Apparently, it was in the face of the pressures and many responses, both from within and outside the Strip, that the Council overturned its decision.
However, the decision was announced only in a press release and not in a formal framework as was the case with the previous, now-overturned decision.
Prior to the school year in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas government reported that female students studying in public schools are to don traditional Islamic garb. However, Hamas reported that this is not an official decree, and that it is up to each individual school principal to impose a dress code that he sees fit.