In an unsettling incident on JetBlue, Paul Faust, a Jewish passenger aboard a flight departing from Parkland, Florida to Las Vegas on April 28, alleges that a flight attendant’s actions exuded strong anti-Semitic sentiments. The 54-year-old man’s disquietude originated from the flight attendant’s choice of a provocative ‘Free Palestine’ pin, complete with the display of a Palestinian flag.
While initially observing the pin as part of the flight attendant’s multi-pinned uniform, Faust decided to keep his reservations to himself. Yet, as she slipped into an apron while preparing to serve refreshments, he noticed her deliberate act of shifting only the ‘Free Palestine’ pin onto the apron, leaving the rest including a ‘Black Lives Matter’ pin on her uniform.
This decision to specifically highlight the ‘Free Palestine’ pin, coupled with Faust’s visible Jewish-themed tattoo, increased his discomfort, leading him to perceive the attendant’s actions as intentional provocations. In an attempt to prevent potential confrontations, Faust suggested to an onboard supervisor that the flight attendant’s behavior needed to be addressed post-landing at the Harry Reid International Airport. He recommended a simple dialogue about the attendant’s insensitivity which had resulted in an unpleasant experience for him.
However, upon their arrival in Las Vegas, instead of finding a resolution, Faust found himself confronted by an airline official who accused him of causing a ‘disturbance’ during the flight. Threatening to involve the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the official demanded Faust’s identification. Appalled and insistent upon his innocence, Faust obstinately refused to abide and opted to leave the airport instead.
To his shock, while preparing for his return journey, he discovered a ban imposed on him by JetBlue for his prior booking. It was explicated by an airline representative that the ban was a consequence of his alleged disruption during the April 28 flight. Adding to the mounting allegations, in-house notes revealed an assertion by the flight attendant that Faust had made a threatening comment about Gaza.
Contradicting these claims, Faust maintained he had never directly communicated with the flight attendant. His conversation about Israel, which had possibly been misconstrued, was held privately with another Jewish passenger, Rachelle Almagor. Almagor, herself rattled by the experience, corroborates Faust’s account, dispelling the accusations.
Haunted by her personal tragedy of her daughter’s friend being kidnapped and murdered in Gaza, Almagor expressed her agitation at seeing the ‘Free Palestine’ pin and advocated for the concerned attendant’s termination. The anxiety prompted by the encounter led her to abandon her plans of returning to Florida via JetBlue.
In response to the allegations, JetBlue has initiated a thorough investigation into the conduct of its crew member, going on record with their strict stance against discriminatory conduct. The airline also extended an apology to Faust, an enrolled member of JetBlue’s frequent flier program.
On a final note, JetBlue announced a revision of its uniform protocol, restricting the display of personally advocative or politically charged pins. This new policy emphasizes that only pins authorized and furnished by JetBlue will henceforth be permitted for crew members on board.
While Faust, now back in Florida onboard with a different airline, deems the whole incident as a blatant display of antisemitism, he awaits JetBlue’s findings from their ongoing scrutiny.
