CHICAGO- A group of 57 Jewish passengers has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines (UA) over alleged discrimination during a flight from Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV).
The plaintiffs claim they faced “collective punishment and emotional trauma” after the flight returned to Newark due to a disputed security incident.
United Airlines denies the allegations, stating the decision was based on safety concerns involving a single passenger. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, accuses the airline of religious and ethnic discrimination under New York State Human Rights Law.
United Lawsuit Amid Jewish Discrimination
On April 22, 2023, a United Airlines (UA) flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) was turned back roughly three hours after departure.
According to The Jerusalem Post, a visibly Jewish passenger briefly sat in an unoccupied crew seat while waiting to use the restroom.
A flight attendant reportedly labeled the act a “security threat,” prompting the captain to reverse course and return to Newark.
After landing, the plaintiffs claim that United personnel denied reboarding to all visibly Jewish passengers.
The airline allegedly failed to provide timely alternative travel options, hotel arrangements, or clear communication.
One crew member is accused of making a discriminatory remark, telling a passenger, “Go ask your own kind.”
The lawsuit, led by attorney Yoram Nachimovsky, claims that United Airlines targeted passengers based solely on religion and ethnicity, inflicting group punishment and emotional harm.
Accusers argue they were unable to attend Israel’s Remembrance Day and Independence Day events due to the unexpected disruption.
Legal Implications
The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit under New York State Human Rights Law, asserting unlawful religious and ethnic discrimination.
Additional legal claims include intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring and retention practices, and a request for punitive damages for willful misconduct.
Passengers seek compensation for travel disruptions, emotional trauma, and damages for the alleged discriminatory actions.
The suit emphasizes that crew behavior reflected a lack of bias evaluation and cultural sensitivity training.
United Airlines (UA), in response, called the allegations “meritless,” stating that the flight was diverted due to a “safety and security risk posed by one passenger.” The airline maintains that its crew “acted professionally” and prioritised safety.
Other Incidents Involving United Airlines
This lawsuit is not the first time United Airlines (UA) has faced allegations involving discriminatory behavior towards Jewish passengers.
- In March 2024, a Jewish man on a flight from Mexico to the US was forcibly removed from an airplane bathroom by the pilot, allegedly left exposed, and later arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- In November 2023, United suspended pilot Ibrahim Mossallam after he praised the Hamas October 7 attacks on social media.
- Additionally, United Airlines faced criticism for allowing crew to wear Palestinian flag pins, a policy slated for reversal on May 28, 2024.
These events have heightened scrutiny of the airline’s internal conduct policies and its approach to religious and political neutrality in customer service and employee behavior.
Ongoing Investigation
United Airlines has publicly rejected the claims, reiterating its commitment to passenger safety and crew professionalism.
The airline states that the incident involved a single individual identified as a safety threat and that the broader group actions were necessary under security protocols.
Legal proceedings are ongoing. The case could potentially influence how airlines handle passenger behavior, crew discretion, and allegations of discrimination in high-stakes situations.
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