Israel/Palestine
Showing Original Post only (View all)Air France fined for kicking pro-Palestinian activist off Israel-bound flight [View all]
The woman, a 30-year-old student, was attempting to fly to Israel last April as part of the 'Welcome to Palestine' fly-in protest; French prosecutors said the incident was a clear case of discrimination.
By Haaretz | Apr.04, 2013 | 7:04 PM |
A court in France fined Air France 10,000 euros ($12,800) on Thursday for ordering a pro-Palestinian activist to disembark from a Tel Aviv bound flight because she was a non-Jew, AFP reported.
The student in question, Hori Ankour, was trying to fly to Israel last April in order to take part in the "Welcome to Palestine" fly-in protest, in which activists from around the world sought to travel to Israel, in order to travel on to the West Bank.
When she was already on the plane, an airline employee asked whether or not the nursing student had an Israeli passport. When she replied that she didn't, AFP reported, she was asked whether or not she was Jewish. When she answered no again, she was taken off the plane in Nice, southeastern France.
The court also ordered Air France to pay some 3,000 euros in damages to the 30-year-old passenger, as well as to cover her legal fees.
French prosecutors said the incident was a clear case of discrimination, AFP reported, while Air France said the passenger's name was on a list provided by Israel, and that they knew she would not be allowed into the country.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/air-france-fined-for-kicking-pro-palestinian-activist-off-israel-bound-flight-1.513530