The case pertains to two brothers, Arabs, residents of a Galil community. The two flew to the United States in February 2007, part of a group of insurance agents enjoying a trip sponsored by an insurance agency.
According to the report, their problems began when they arrived at the airport in NYC for the return flight, four hours ahead of the scheduled takeoff. They passed through security but were told that until they board, they will be assigned a security agent who will shadow their activities. They objected to the move but were left without an alternative. There was at least one incident in which there was a harsh exchange of words between the two and the security official, leading the agent to demand an apology, explaining their refusal to comply would result in their being prohibited from boarding the flight.
Haifa Magistrate’s Court Ami Toubi ruled that after they were cleared during the routine security inspection, there was no justification for the shadow security agent. He added the incident in which they were compelled to apologize was simply an abuse of authority. The court added that it was not pleased with the reality that during the trial, El Al did not apologize for the actions of the security personnel. The court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered El Al to pay NIS 30,000 in damages.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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7 Responses
Upon determining they were Israel citizens whose activities suggested they much preferred being Israeli Arabs to Palestinians, El Al should have avoided harassment. They could have easily had someone keep an eye on them without being detected if they had reason to worry. Note that the abuse of authority was not the extra security, but the deliberate humilitation inflicted by demanding an apology from paying customers who hadn’t done anything wrong. The El Al security should work on being more discreet and less rude.
Based on what I have read here, it seems that the Israeli judge ruled correctly. One wonders however, had the passengers been suspected of protesting police brutality in Jerusalem, whether the judge would have instead ruled in favor El Al.
El Al is lucky. If former Chief Justice Honorable Aharon Barak would have presided over the trial, the damage payment might have been seven fold, and perhaps El Al would have been ordered to give free lifetime first class seats and no security checks to the offended parties and all their clan or tribe. Do you recall what Justice Cheshin said about Professor Barak’s attitude towards security measures that are designed to save Jewish lives and limbs?
yushl
El Al did not agree to pay the petitioners. The court ordered El Al to pay them after finding against the airline and that El Al did not apologize for the actions of the security personnel. Jewish justice at work.
i dont think people should be accused just because they look like they are an arab. Im very happy to hear that they are getting thier money back
when i went to israel and left the plane a cop started screaming at me there for no apparent reason and threatened to detain me. i was with birthright group and i trailed behind about 30 yards. police always do that to me. i was dressed nice, i dont know what is the problem with my appearance but i dont know how to change it whatever it is..
its discrimination but you always have to be careful with arabs. I mean every time a plane has blown up it has always been done by an arab