United Airlines facing lawsuit over antisemitism claims after Tel Aviv-bound flight returns to US

A new lawsuit alleges that Jewish passengers faced discrimination while aboard a United Airlines flight that turned back mid-route. According to the suit, the April 22, 2023, flight from Newark to Tel Aviv – carrying a large number of Jewish travelers – was diverted back to the United States after several hours in the air.

The lawsuit filed by 57 passengers centers on an incident in which a passenger briefly sat in an unoccupied crew seat while waiting for the restroom. The crew allegedly responded with “disproportionate force,” sparking a confrontation that culminated in the flight’s abrupt return.

The plaintiffs claim this was merely a pretext for discriminatory treatment based on the passengers’ religion.

According to Ynet News, eyewitnesses reported that flight attendants warned they would turn the plane around if the passenger did not vacate the seat, but the warning was not taken seriously. Shortly afterward, the plane altered its course. “No one explained what was happening,” said one passenger named Shlomit. “We just saw the flight path shift on the screen. When we landed, the police were already waiting.”

The passenger whose actions triggered the response was detained upon landing but later released without charges. Another traveler, Jeff Hunt, captured the episode on social media. He described the individual as calm and engaging with other passengers to explain his side of the story.

According to reports, many passengers faced long delays in receiving hotel vouchers from United, and some said they never received them at all.  

The lawsuit accuses United of "incompetence, racism, and discriminatory treatment of Jewish passengers," asserting that the entire group was unfairly punished for a minor incident. One plaintiff claims that when he, wearing a kippah, asked a flight attendant for assistance with rebooking, she replied, “Go ask your people.”

“We want to see sensitivity training,” said attorney Yoram Nachimovsky, who is also seeking unspecified damages. “If one person is acting bad, it doesn’t mean everyone around them is responsible.” 

“We have reviewed the incident, and the plaintiffs’ claims are meritless,” United Airlines replied.

“One passenger who was a safety and security risk caused the flight to return to Newark. Our crew put safety first and exhibited professionalism in managing this matter, and we will vigorously defend against these false allegations,” the airline firmly denied.