Delta Air Lines is changing its uniform policy after outrage erupted on social media over two Delta flight attendants wearing Palestinian flag pins, international media reported Saturday. The new rule is said to take effect on Monday.
The signs, thought to show political support for Gaza and Palestinian statehood amid the Israel-Hamas war, were described as “Hamas signs” by netizens.
ANOTHER Delta employee wearing a Palestinian pin is causing trouble, this time on an ATL to FLL flight (DL2345). Delta is a US-based airline and has no routes to Palestine. Why isn’t she, along with the man we featured on Saturday, wearing American pins against these? https://t.co/2BeKrVUKOz pic.twitter.com/A671ywmvHj
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) July 10, 2024
“The greeters pictured were in compliance with Delta uniform guidelines and we have been in contact with them to offer support,” a Delta spokeswoman said Saturday, according to New York Times. “Unlike further conversations on social media platforms, none have been discontinued.”
The blunder in social networks follows the event
While the employees reportedly followed Delta’s previous uniform policy, an employee on the airline’s social media previously claimed to X that it had violated the policy.
The employee also commented that they sympathized with the ‘terrified’ passengers.
In a now-deleted response to an upset user X, which the Council on American-Islamic Relations shared online, the Delta account wrote in response to a complaint about the incident, “I hear you as I would be horrified too, personally Our employees reflect our culture and we do not take it lightly when our policy is not followed.”
Regardless of whether this racist post on Delta’s X account was approved or unauthorized, Delta needs to apologize and take steps to educate its employees about this kind of dangerous anti-Palestinian racism. Bigotry against Palestinian-Americans is absolutely out of control in the workplace and in… pic.twitter.com/3wezN6W8iN
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) July 10, 2024
In a statement condemning Delta’s post Wednesday, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said: “Whether this racist post on Delta X’s account was authorized or unauthorized, Delta must apologize and take steps to educate its employees about this kind of dangerous anti-Palestinianism. racism. Bigotry against Palestinian-Americans is absolutely out of control in the workplace and in schools – and it needs to stop.”
On Wednesday, Delta officially retracted the post on X, writing, “On Wednesday, we removed a response that was inconsistent with our values. We strive for an environment of inclusiveness and respect for all, in our communities and on our planes. Employees responsible no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this offensive post.
On Wednesday we removed an answer that was not in line with our values. We strive for an environment of inclusiveness and respect for all, in our communities and on our planes. The responsible employee no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this hurtful post.
— Delta (@Delta) July 11, 2024
While the uniform policy is now being adjusted, Ed Bastian, the company’s chief executive, a steering committee from the Delta Association of Flight Attendants, a union, demanded an apology and a ban on unauthorized photography of crew members, according to New York Times.
“Under current rules, Delta management leaves flight attendants vulnerable to harassment,” Bastian wrote in a letter Wednesday.
Bastian went on to claim that “targeting any individual based on their nationality violates anti-discrimination laws, is inconsistent with Delta’s stated commitment to inclusion and respect, and encourages a hostile work environment.”
It has not been confirmed whether the staff pictured were of Palestinian origin.