Palestinian fury as duo forced off Greece jet
Print Edition
The Palestinian leadership yesterday demanded the Greek government act after two Arab passengers were expelled from an Israel-bound flight, saying the decision to remove the pair was “reminiscent” of apartheid.
Two Arab passengers with Israeli documents were forced off an Aegean Airlines flight before it set off from Athens on Sunday after Israeli Jews protested about their presence.
After an initial complaint by passengers, the pair’s documents were checked again by Greek security but no issues were found. However, by this stage the protest had escalated, with dozens of passengers refusing to take off until the men were removed from the plane.
“It started with three or four people and by the end there were 60-70 people standing up, demanding that the pair disembark,” an Aegean spokesperson said.
Eventually the pair left after negotiations with the airline, staying in a hotel at Aegean’s expense and flying to Tel Aviv the next day.
Israeli media identified the two as an Israeli Arab and a Palestinian, saying the protesting passengers were Jewish.
Saeb Erekat, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, referring to both men as Palestinians, called the decision to eject them “unjust and disgraceful”.
“We are outraged by how two Palestinians were treated with discrimination and prejudice at the hands of the Aegean cabin crew prior to the departure of last Sunday’s flight,” he said in a statement. “This appalling behavior by the Israeli passengers is reminiscent of the worst years of the South African apartheid.”
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