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United Airlines Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Mistreatment of Orthodox Jewish Passenger
An Orthodox Jewish man has initiated legal action against United Airlines following an incident aboard a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston. Yisroel Liebb, a New Jersey resident, claims that he was forcibly removed from an airplane bathroom by the pilot, resulting in an embarrassing exposure of his genitalia to other passengers.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court this week, alleges that law enforcement officials from the Department of Homeland Security apprehended Liebb upon the plane’s arrival and detained him in handcuffs. This incident occurred after he and another Orthodox Jewish traveler, Jacob Sebbag, were reportedly escorted through the airport, subjected to searches, and held in custody, causing them to miss their connecting flight to New York City.
According to the lawsuit, the events unfolded on January 28 when Liebb was in the bathroom for approximately twenty minutes. He stated that a flight attendant had asked Sebbag, who was napping, to check on him. Liebb explained his situation and reassured Sebbag that he would exit soon, which Sebbag informed the flight attendant.
However, about ten minutes later, the pilot approached Sebbag again, demanding that he check on Liebb. The lawsuit describes a dramatic escalation when the pilot allegedly broke the bathroom door lock, forcibly extracting Liebb while he still had his pants down, exposing him to Sebbag and other passengers.
Liebb expressed feeling “sexually violated and embarrassed” after the incident, which he characterized as a significant breach of personal dignity. His account specifies that the pilot displayed visible anger during the confrontation and made derogatory remarks concerning Liebb’s Jewish identity and conduct.
United Airlines has not provided comments on the lawsuit, and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has also been tight-lipped due to the ongoing legal challenges. Hilton Beckham, CBP’s assistant commissioner for public affairs, confirmed that officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the airline’s request but refrained from further comments pending litigation.
Upon landing in Houston, the men were met by multiple CBP officers, and when Liebb inquired about the reasons for their detention, an officer allegedly tightened his handcuffs and stated, “This isn’t county or state. We are homeland. You have no rights here.”
Though United Airlines provided the men with complimentary tickets for a flight to New York City the following day, they incurred additional expenses for overnight accommodations and meals, effectively negating any financial relief the free tickets offered.
Lieb and Sebbag reported suffering significant discomfort due to the handcuffs, resulting in “severe wrist pain” that lasted for days following the incident. The legal proceedings now bring to light issues of passenger treatment and the responsibilities airlines hold toward their customers, highlighting the need for sensitivity and professionalism in handling sensitive situations. As this case unfolds, it will be pivotal to observe its implications on airline policies and passenger rights.
Source
www.theguardian.com