Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D – MI) has condemned American Airlines after flight attendants required a young man wearing a controversial Palestine t-shirt either remove it or turn it inside out onboard an American Airlines flight to Arizona.
Flight Attendants Force Man To Remove Palestine T-Shirt On American Airlines Flight
A young man claims that upon boarding AA2829 from New York (JFK) to Phoenix (PHX) on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 he was confronted by a flight attendant over his t-shirt, pictured above, which includes what appears to be an innocuous image with a series of cities listed below:
- Akka
- Gaza
- Hebron
- Jericho
- Jerusalem
- Nablus
- Yafa
Do two of those cities stand out? Akka, known as Acre or Akko in Hebrew, is located in Israel. So if Yafa, which most known as the great port city of Jaffa. Jaffa was a diverse city of Christians, Jews, and Muslims during the British Mandate but after a period of Arab violence followed by strict marshal law, was annexed by Israel and added to Tel Aviv in 1949 (there’s a great deal more that can be said about this). Akko became part of Israel after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
The Arabic above the city names on the t-shirt says something like, “Hope you are welcome.”
Rashida Tlaib Demands Answers From American Airlines Over Palestine Shirt
Tlaib, who voted “present” on a bill affirming Israel’s right to exist earlier this week, has taken up the cause and demanded a response from American Airlines:
Yesterday, a young man who I have known most of his life informed me that on his @americanair flight AA2829 home from New York, he was instructed by a flight attendant to remove his sweater that said Palestine on it.
Does American Airlines have a bias towards Palestinians? Is there a policy that enables this kind of targeting and mistreatment?
He was devastated and felt like the erasure of Palestinians in our country has no limits. I emailed @americanair and I’m waiting for a response.
Palestinians exist. We are human beings. And we will not be erased.
Of course Palestinians exist. Of course Palestinians are human beings. But just who is trying to do the erasing here?
Calling Akko Akka or Jaffa Yaffa is certainly making more than an affirmation that Palestinians have the right to exist, right?
Now it isn’t clear whether flight attendants actually noticed those details on the shirt. Even if they did, the fact that these were historic Palestinian cities does not strike me as reason alone to conclude that this shirt crossed an unacceptable line.
We’ve analyzed AA’s dress code many times in the past. It is deliberately vague:
“Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.”
My position is that as understandable as it is that a pro-Palestinian t-shirt on a flight from New York can be seen as hurtful and even a danger to other passengers onboard (if it stirred up a fight onboard), this shirt should not have been deemed as a dress code violation.
Most political messages without vulgarities, calls for death, or violence should be permitted. That’s just me and I tend to prefer more speech or over less, even if it tends to inflame…the policy has wiggle room for a reason.
That doesn’t mean I find the shirt tasteful…it would be like Israel including a list of Israel cities including Yeriẖo and Hebron…
CONCLUSION
Rep. Tlaib wants answers after a young man was forced to remove a Palestine t-shirt onbaord an American Airlines. AA has not yet responded.
Contrary to some, I do not think this is the time to avoid facing the difficult questions concerning Israel and the Palestinian people in this war, even on an airplane. And for a matter this important, it is understandable that people are going to express viewpoints that may be uncomfortable. A shirt like this stops far short of crossing the line.
This comment section might be one for the record books.
It shouldn’t. Who would have dreamed that a nary two decades after 9/11 (when Palestinians danced in the streets for joy) there would be such open riots all over the US with support for terror and violence against innocent civilians.
#HamasGoToHell
There are no riots. Just protests. You’re hate is showing.
Your, not you’re.
Like the murder of an elderly Jewish man in LA. Or, the thousands of dollars in damage to private and public property. Or the many police officers attacked by the rioters in those peaceful protests. Or, the attacks on Jewish students by those friendly rioters. Maybe the recent fire bombings of synagogues by kind hearted protesters.
Aaron, are you a disciple of Joseph Goebbels?
Protests are riots when businesses are damaged, people are assaulted and we are supposed to turn a blind eye when these Hamas loving filth bring it home to the US and UK. Cry me a river but they are terrorist and officially designated as such for a reason. Nothing but hate mongering anti Semitic scum.
Oh, what about interrupting the Thanksgiving parade, what about ripping down posters, graffiti on Jewish businesses, breaking into train stations etc etc. Shirt was incieful. Most people did not even know it. Let’s try to avoid violence on airplanes particularly right now as decent people.
It’s so sad the hate that you carry in your heart. May God forgive you.
The tee shirt is a form of freedom of speech.
Would Tlaib have reacted if it was a guy in a MAGA hat got removed? Or a Swastika? By the way, voting “present” on such a topic is a bitch-ass move; we know how you really feel, so vote accordingly instead of half-assing it.
Definitely 100%
I think that’s an overreaction on AA’s part. People should realize that there is a difference between Palestinians and Hamas. Just because people support innocent Palestinians, it doesn’t mean that they support Hamas.
Except that Palestinians overwhelmingly support (85% according to a very recent poll) violence against Jews.
The framing of the conflict as one that is over land is a Western construct. The Palestinians themselves will tell you the truth.
Which poll is this?
There’s actually a couple,
Oct 31st (newer ones)
And Nov 7 in person poll by The Independent Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD)
Found that 75% of Palestinians surveyed supported Hamas’s attack on Israel civilians.
You can’t cover the sky with your hands,I wish it wasn’t true.
There’s no reason to remove that passenger. AA is slow to respond because they know they’re in the wrong. That shirt isn’t making a political statement, even if you hunt for one. You can probably buy it at a gift shop in East Jerusalem. China T shirts probably have Taiwan on them. Serbia Ts probably have Kosovo. etc etc etc.
+1
I agree with u that the person should have the right to wear the shirt but it definitely does make a political statement. It is saying that Israel should be replaced by “Palestine” a country which never existed in the history of the world, for a people called “Palestinians” which also never existed. It’s all lies and manipulation in order to destroy the Jewish state of Israel.
So just out of curiosity, how should an Arab from Ramallah identify themselves? Is there a term you would recommend other than “Palestenian?”
Correct designation… terror loving people or terrorist
Just lawyer jargon. Palestine did exist but it was a British mandate. The British divided it and assigned Israel the best land but Israel wanted it all and so did the Arabs.
The shirt is actually tame. It doesn’t list Tel Aviv or Haifa.
“It is saying that Israel should be replaced by “Palestine” a country which never existed in the history of the world, for a people called “Palestinians” which also never existed.”
Bull and sh*t.
That is not true. You have heard of the Philistines in the Old Testament? That is who the Palestinians descended from. Palestinians’ are still called ‘Philistines’ in Arabic. Ask anyone that speaks Arabic.
Referring to Palestinians as Philistines isn’t just an Arabic thing, as it has also been historically used from as far East as what is China to as far south as South Africa before European colonization hit “the Old World” beyond Europe.
Palestinians have existed long before there was any European crusaders killing besieged Jews and Muslims in and around Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, United put a Hamas-supporting pilot (and a board member of NY CAIR; which came from the Muslim Brotherhood) on paid leave. Many of his photos and anti-Semitic posts went viral.
Not fired, but put on paid leave.
Last month, I saw two UA flight attendants wearing their official UA BLM pins. Same BLM that backs Hamas.
Let’s not forget which group of terrorists pioneered: hijackings; blowing up planes; blowing up and/or shooting passengers at check-in counters….
“Same BLM that backs Hamas”
Supporting Palestinians is not the same as supporting Khamaahs.
BLM has a well documented anti-Semitic history.
BLM put out flyers and memes with their logo and a paraglider with the PLO flag and holding a rifle. The image pays tribute to the terrorists that murdered innocent Israeli citizens.
BLM supporters included and continue to include lots of Jewish Americans. And please spare us the “they must be self-hating Jews” nonsense. A lot of ethnic and religious minorities across the ethnic and religious spectrums stand together against injustice. Is that a bad thing? Elon Musk seems to think so, but I am sure Elon Musk is also no fan of me.
Here is my 2 cents. Three young Palestinian students were shot in Vermont last week. An absolute heartbreaking story. Now, they were wearing Palestinian scarves. Was that the reason they were shot? Maybe. My point is that the world is crazy right now and I personally would lay low if I can. Both Jewish or Palestine I would not wear anything to show too much. Again, this is very sad to say but it is for their own safety. There is no need for any demonstration of religious beliefs at this point because there might be a crazy next to you and you cannot control crazy behaviors. Somem may think the opposite, that this is the time to fight for your beliefs but that will come with big risks.
It is not overreaction. It is ignorance. I can guarantee you that all the things Matthew shared about the shirt are completely meaningless to the FA that probably never been to a History class.
Santastico, that’s very rude. Many flight attendants are well educated and have other careers in addition to flying. I’m one of them. That comment just shows who needs to go back to school for more, YOU. Have a nice day.
BLM has a well documented anti-Semitic history.
BLM put out flyers and memes with their logo and a paraglider with the PLO flag and holding a rifle. The image pays tribute to the terrorists that murdered innocent Israeli citizens.
RE: “the world is crazy right now”
Right now??!!
Your incapability, or pure ignorance, to recognize that the world has been crazy for centuries and millennia is exactly a main reason WHY the world is crazy — read “The 2 Married Pink Elephants In The Historical Room” … https://www.rolf-hefti.com/covid-19-coronavirus.html
“When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker, a raving lunatic.” — Dresden James
Wearing a AR-15 lapel pin doesn’t mean you support mass shooters. Some things are just insensitive and in poor taste as this shirt may be, and need not trigger so much attention. We need to calm down and focus on genuine injustice and threats. Talking to you Tlaib.
Why is this shirt in poor taste?
@ Aaron Not necessarily, but making some uncomfortable, like wearing the AR-15 lapel pin after a school shooting. Some may be very upset, even though there is no direct intent to do so.
Over the heads I have seen some supposedly pro-Israel clothing and accessories on flights that did evidence what could be taken by some or many as a form of geographic aggression. Don’t recall if ever being a source of problems on my flights. What’s next, an airline banning Israeli or Palestinian flag pins just because they could offend someone, maybe even an airline employee?
The shirt is fine. I wouldn’t wear it but it’s ok, not pro-terrorism.
Hamas is really terrible.
Israel’s government denies the right of Palestine to exist. Israel wants the whole pie.
Both sides would hate a 2 state situation. If there are two states, Israel won’t evict the settlers and won’t enlarge Gaza, which is too small and not the original home for most. Some in Palestine might acknowledge Israel’s existence but some would not.
You cannot have an opinion that both sides will attack you for.
In a world filled with crazies shy of one sandwich to complete a picnic lunch, I wouldn’t sport any article of clothing that might spark an adverse reaction, especially whilst traveling in a sealed tube at 30k feet. Nor would I engage in political discussions because I wouldn’t waste my breath trying to convince someone else of my opinion/beliefs … but hey that’s just me. It’s just not worth the aggravation to me.
I was born and raised in Michigan. Still live here. I am embarrassed by and for Rashida Talib (the Terrorist inside our Government) actions. I have never (nor would I) voted for her, really dumbfounded at who would!!
She is a terrorist supporter, and she should be removed from office immediately based on her constant bullshit and rhetoric.
On what basis are you calling her a terrorist? If anything, you’re the one embarrassing Michigan, not her.
Aaron, you clearly are biased and ignore the many factual and easy to Google statements she has made. For the record Hamas is officially a terrorist organization. That is a fact. It is designated as such based on Amy repeated actions and acts of terror and genocide. She has verbally on recorded media made statements of support for Hamas. Therefore his statement is correct. Factually your statements are born of emotion. They have tinges of hate towards anyone that disagrees with your false unproven perspective. I am going to guess you are under 35 and a Democrat. You don’t have the age to remember the unacceptable horrors that Palestinians have committed on the world. Their situation today is a result of the slaughter of innocent persons around the world and within Israel. They had many opportunities for peace and even when 90 percent of what they wanted was given they rejected it and instead staunchly called for the destruction of jews and Israel. They tried to overthrow governments in Jordan and Egypt. They successfully poisoned and destroyed what was Lebanon a once vibrant and modern exciting country in the 70s, instead by choice they and they alone made their situation. Progressively destroying themselves and their people by acts of hatred and violence that forced the situation they are in by any that want to survive and exist. They elect leaders who are violent. They support terror. They play on weak minds and soft hearts and exploit them in their efforts to pray and deceive acceptable social standards and replace it with horror and hate.
You cannot be old enough to remember the constant bombings of aircraft and airports around the world. The slaughter at the Munich Olympic. The many many assassinations and the overthrow attempts of peaceful governments. If.you lived it and paid attention or if you were able to research and not be spoon fed by social media 15 second sound bites you would be ashamed of yourself. Your generation thinks your enlightened but the reality is your too weak, lazy and simple to understand the immense complexity and you don’t have the knowledge to research or the patience. So pathetic
Care to show us one example of her engaging in an act of terrorism or otherwise violating a US law against terrorism?
It’s easy to make false accusations, but where is the proof? Come on, put on the big boy and girl pants and provide the proof if you can do it doesn’t come across as just baseless defamation and rootless character assassination. I want to see the law applied and applied consistently to all, so let’s have it with proof and criminal prosecution or see some dignity in acknowledging the truth about the nature of the attack.
Self professed Christian travel bloggers need to have more Christ’s love in them. IMO
How would I do that? Serious question. I’m not sure what you are getting at.
To wear clothing that has potential to trigger negative responses, should not be worn on public transport. This guy knows what he is doing and relies on the 1st Amendment to cover his butt. Cheap shot and bravo to FA for stepping up. You don’t need more problems in the air, you folks are already awesome at it already. There was a time when decorum was the norm, but people felt they were victims of a superiority class and Government allowed dress codes to end. Its sad really. Air travel is wonderful, your suspended thousands of feet in the air, served meals snacks beverages, watch movies, sleep etc and a few hrs later your where you need/want to be. And there will always be difficult people on every flight. These people need to stay home.
“bravo to FA for stepping up.”
For stepping up to do…what exactly?
To ask the guy to cover up the shirt. To avoid possible negative reaction from other passengers.
“Would Tlaib have reacted if it was a guy in a MAGA hat got removed? Or a Swastika?”
That has to be the most asinine thing you have ever said on here. And that’s saying something. Comparing a shirt that says Palestine to a swastika? Speaking of bitch-ass moves…
Of course, a Palestinian shouting “from the river to the sea etc” is comparable to literal Nazism. As usual, you have no clue, and with 9 out of the 48 comments here being you defending Tlaib or the T-shirt, I think it’s time for you to take a rest from the internet like your old butt-buddy Billy Bob. You’re even misspelling your own name.
I don’t think the comments make any sense. You can’t change people’s opinions or political views with the Middle East.
Time to deport this terrorist. Rashida whatsherface isn’t worthy of living here. Go home to sandboxistan, you vile whore.
Misogynist and racist much?
It’s easy to call someone anything you want, but where is the proof that she’s a terrorist or a prostitute? Have proof, then pursue criminal charges where due. If not, your accusations and name-calling are again without merit and again have you painting yourself as pitiful character who lacks any sense of decency and respect for yourself and others. Poor you.
Hello, American working in Sweden.
Are you a p3dophile in addition to being a Nazi? People say that online. There’s screenshots of you trying to find that kind of material.
While I think the shirt itself is fine these are trying times and not everyone would. It’s AA’s plane and if they want to ward off what could become a confrontational situation good for them.
Airplanes are private property and your first amendment rights stop at the door (if not earlier in the airport).
Not exactly. Common carriers in the US can’t do so legally by discriminating against passengers for wearing religious attire or related accessories. And airports in the US used by AA are generally government-funded and/or operated and that comes with conditions too on AA’s exercise of property rights.
Maybe she should earn her paycheck by doing what she is being paid to do and let American Airlines handle their company business!
My understanding is that her office’s constituent services has been very responsive in the aggregate to constituents who contact their DC and district offices. Seems like she does good work for the people whom she represents. And she never supported tearing down the constitutional order of the US, unlike a bunch of Trump-supporting conspiracy theorists of which some are her Congressional colleagues who oppose her.
Sorry Gu if you wear something any airline considers provocative they have the right to refuse boarding. You’re not going to get on an airplane naked, covered in dye or wearing political BS if the airline doesn’t want you to.
You can argue nuances all day long but I wouldn’t bet getting to Peoria on it.
It’s their f’n airplane. Period.
Period.
VM/cairns,
They can’t lawfully ban passengers for wearing a yarmulke, hijab/habit, prayer beads, or necklace indicating faith affinity even if you or anyone else consider such attire “provocative”.
Americans are insanely pro colonialist supremacy. That’s a beautiful sweatshirt based on a vintage Palestine travel poster.
This is what happens when people have no sense of history. I am a Jew living in Israel. In Yaffa 🙂 This is a poster from the British Mandate period encouraging people to vacation in “Palestine” – a name given to Judea by the Romans to try and erase history the Jewish connection. I have vintage posters on my wall from the same period. The English uses Palestine but the Hebrew says Israel. The person who wore it wore a travel ad that benefited Jewish businesses. I’m Israeli and I could care less. He is just showing how little he actually knows.