What happened

Qantas crew members on a flight from Melbourne to Hobart faced backlash for wearing Palestinian flag badges, an action deemed against the airline’s uniform policy.

The stakes

The incident has sparked calls for the dismissal of the involved Qantas crew members, with an online petition garnering over 2,000 signatures. It also highlights concerns about political expression in commercial aviation and the rise in antisemitic incidents.

Passenger’s statement

A passenger on the flight commented on the crew’s actions, expressing disappointment and referencing Qantas’s alleged history with political involvement. He emphasized the need for an apolitical stance by the airline.

Reaction from civil rights organization

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission condemned the incident, labeling it as intimidation and harassment. He stressed the importance of a propoganda-free environment on flights, especially against the backdrop of increased anti-Israel sentiment.

Qantas’s response

Addressing the incident, a Qantas spokesperson reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to a respectful environment for customers. The company will remind staff of the uniform policy, which only allows national badges under specific conditions.

Wider context

The incident aligns with a disturbing trend of rising antisemitism amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas, including a brutal attack by Hamas on Israeli communities.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.