United Pilot Barred From Flying to Israel Amid Security Review
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
A United Airlines pilot of Iranian origin, Sina Amjadian, has been barred from flying to Israel due to unverified social media posts allegedly showing support for the Iranian regime. The information was passed to Israeli security and transportation authorities by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. This action follows a separate incident on a Flydubai flight and a subsequent decision to enhance aviation security monitoring.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- United Airlines pilot Sina Amjadian is barred from flying to Israel over alleged support for Iran.
- Unverified social media posts allegedly show Amjadian supporting the Iranian regime and Hezbollah.
- The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs alerted Israeli security and transportation authorities.
- The decision follows a prior security incident on a Flydubai flight to Israel.
- Aviation security monitoring has been expanded in response to these concerns.
A pilot for United Airlines has been prevented from flying to Israel following a security review prompted by concerns over alleged support for the Iranian regime and its affiliated organizations. The pilot, identified as Sina Amjadian, who is of Iranian descent, is currently under security scrutiny after information regarding him was shared with Israeli security and transportation authorities.
The information, reportedly originating from social media posts, was transferred by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism. These posts allegedly show Amjadian expressing support for Tehran's regime, the Revolutionary Guards, and Hezbollah. However, the article notes that these claims have not been independently verified, and the original sources of the posts have not been presented to Israeli authorities.
The official inquiry began on October 19, when Avi Cohen Scali, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, sent a letter to Shin Bet head David Zini and Ministry of Transport Director General Moshe Ben Zaken. Copies were also sent to the Director General of the Airports Authority, Sharon Kedmi, and other senior officials, citing concerns about potential implications for aviation security to Israel.
This development follows a separate incident in late September involving a Flydubai flight to Israel, where a co-pilot reportedly assaulted the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. This prior event led to an expansion of monitoring activities by the National Control and Monitoring Center for Combating Antisemitism to include information on individuals who might pose a risk to aviation.
Among the information provided to authorities were two posts on X (formerly Twitter). One claimed Amjadian previously worked for Flydubai and shared a video of himself kissing and saluting the Iranian regime's symbol. Another post alleged his support for the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah, urging United Airlines to investigate. The article stresses that these allegations remain unverified.
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