Air Canada pilot grounded for ‘unacceptable posts’ about Israel-Gaza attacks

Air Canada has clipped a pilot’s wings after making what the airline called “unacceptable” posts on social media about the violence erupting in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Watchdog organization StopAntiSemitism.org took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday and shared photos of a man identified as Air Canada pilot Mostafa Ezzo wearing his uniform and a scarf in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

The group also posted images reportedly of Ezzo at pro-Palestinian demonstrations holding signs that read “Isr*el Hitler is proud of you” and “Keep the world clean,” with StopAntiSemitism.org saying “we imagine this hatred is a violation of company policy.”

The posts have led Air Canada to ground Ezzo, who on a now-deleted LinkedIn profile lists his employer and position as a First Officer with Air Canada.

“We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot,” the airline said in a post on Monday (Oct. 9), adding that it is taking the matter “very seriously.”

“We firmly denounce violence in all forms,” the airline said.

StopAntiSemitism.org says the grounded pilot has since deleted social media accounts since the group shared the posts earlier this week.

The violence between Israel and the militant group Hamas entered a fifth day on Wednesday, following Hamas fighters braking through the border fence Saturday and storming into the country’s southern region.

The Israeli military has said more than 1,200 people including 155 soldiers have died in Israel since the assault, while in Gaza, 1,055 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there.

Thousands have been wounded on both sides and more than 150 people have also been kidnapped by Hamas and other militant groups. The armed wing of Hamas has warned it will kill a hostage every time Israel’s military bombs civilian targets without warning.

With files from The Canadian Press

Mostafa Ezzo is an Air Canada pilot flying out of Montreal.

Pictured in thread:
– Ezzo pointing out Hitler would be proud of Israel
– F*ck your Israeli Burn in Hell
– Keep the World Clean (and trash Israel)
– Enzo's biography

NO JEW would feel safe flying with this antisemite. pic.twitter.com/5Vmj9BpBdT

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 10, 2023