United Airlines Pilot Suspended Again Over Support for Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
United Airlines has suspended pilot Ibrahim R. Mossallam for a second time due to his social media posts supporting the October 7 Hamas attack. He was initially suspended in 2023 but reinstated, reportedly due to union intervention. The renewed controversy comes amid concerns from other pilots and a recent attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight, which is being investigated as an act of terror.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Airlines suspended pilot Ibrahim R. Mossallam again for praising the October 7 Hamas attack.
- Mossallam had previously been suspended in 2023 but was reinstated to flying duties.
- Other United pilots reportedly expressed concerns about flying with Mossallam.
- The airline has stated Mossallam is not currently scheduled for flights pending an investigation.
- The controversy follows an attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel.
United Airlines has again suspended a pilot, Ibrahim R. Mossallam, following renewed controversy over social media posts he made after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Mossallam had described the attack as "resistance by a brave people." The pilot was initially suspended in 2023 after these statements surfaced but was later reinstated to active duty, reportedly after intervention by a pilots' union. The airline has not provided a detailed explanation for his return to service.
The issue resurfaced due to concerns among other pilots, with reports suggesting some avoided flying with him due to apprehension about his conduct. Following the renewed outcry, United Airlines confirmed Mossallam is currently not scheduled for flights pending an investigation. The company has not specified the reasons for this new review or its potential outcome.
This situation gained further attention in the context of a recent attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel on September 30. During that flight, a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe, attempting to crash the plane. Israeli passengers and crew members reportedly intervened, and the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Authorities are investigating the incident as an act of terror, with reports of extremist content found on the suspect's social media accounts.
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