Air Canada suspends Pilot over pro-Palestinian attire and social media activity

Air Canada, the Canadian flag carrier, took action against a pilot, Mostafa Ezzo, who wore pro-Palestinian colors over his uniform and allegedly made profane comments about Israel in his social media posts. The move came in response to concerns about the pilot's social media posts, particularly after Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip initiated a surprise attack on Israel.

Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick confirmed that the pilot, Mostafa Ezzo, was grounded as of the previous day. The decision was made because the pilot's opinions and social media posts were considered inconsistent with Air Canada's views. Fitzpatrick also noted that the pilot had never been authorized to speak publicly while identifying as an Air Canada employee.

Controversial social media posts

The pilot's social media accounts contained numerous controversial remarks about Israel. One of his Instagram stories promoted a pro-Palestine rally with a profane caption directed at Israel. Another Instagram story featured the pilot holding a banner that labeled Israel as a "terrorist state."

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In response to the situation, Air Canada issued a social media post denouncing violence and stating that they were taking the matter seriously. The post emphasized the airline's commitment to opposing violence in all forms.

Temporary suspension of Tel Aviv Routes

In light of the recent Hamas attack, Air Canada has temporarily suspended its flight routes to Tel Aviv. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced that Canadian citizens in Israel would be evacuated from the Tel Aviv airport in the coming days, employing aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces. However, the statement did not address Canadians who may be trapped in Gaza due to Israel's closure of the territory controlled by Hamas.

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This decision by Air Canada comes as airlines and governments respond to the evolving situation in the region, highlighting the broader impact of the conflict on travel and international operations.