Air Canada has come under fire after one of its pilots showcased his anti-Israel signage on his social media and at a public rally.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Air Canada First Officer Mostafa Ezzo attended a pro-Palestine rally in Montreal. He brought signs with him that read hateful messages including an image of the flag of Israel being put in the garbage that reads: "Keep the world clean." Another sign reads that "Hitler would be proud" of Israel.
In an Instagram story, the pilot tells Israel to "burn in hell."
Ezzo has since deleted his social media posts.
According to his LinkedIn profile, which has since been removed, Ezzo is a Boeing 787 First Officer and a Class 1 (CFII) flight instructor. He regularly flew routes out of Montreal.
Air Canada addressed the controversy in a statement on X on Tuesday, characterizing the pilot's social media posts as "unacceptable."
The airline said it was taking the "matter very seriously" and that Ezzo was taken out of service on Monday.
"We firmly denounce violence in all forms," the airline added.
On Wednesday, spokesperson Angela Mah told V.I.A. that Ezzo no longer works for Air Canada, "following the process initiated on Monday."
Air Canada Pilot's post sparks outcry
Stop Antisemitism, an American organization fighting antisemitism around the world, shared Ezzo's posts on its X profile, noting that "no Jew would feel safe flying with this antisemite."
Numerous Vancouverites voiced concerns about the pilot following the news, with many of them questioning whether it was safe for "anyone" to fly with him. Other locals expressed fear of violence against Jews.
While I’m feeling slightly more reassured I have to wonder how @AirCanada didn’t catch this earlier as a serious security threat to their passengers. https://t.co/WbMpjwEf9f
— Alan Fryer 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@alanfryermedia) October 11, 2023
You sure as fuck can’t let him get behind the stick for any passengers ever again … you absolutely need to confirm he never will.
— Craig Minielly (@craigminielly) October 11, 2023
He belongs in jail.
— Darren Klass (@MRAkid) October 11, 2023
Well done aircanada but you need to make sure this nut job never flies another plane anywhere ever again. https://t.co/82iCeXfXER
— Kevin Mcleod (@dockevinmcleod) October 11, 2023
For the safety of all passengers! This person should never be allowed to fly again. From what I understand nobody is safe from these acts of terror. Once someone shows you who they are…believe them.
— Lioness (@lioness0817) October 10, 2023
An Israel solidarity rally was held at the Jack Poole Plaza on Tuesday night, urging locals to share their support for the country amid ongoing violence and to remember Ben Mizrachi. The 22-year-old Vancouver man was killed by Hamas during an attack at a techno music festival near the Gaza border on Saturday.
Mizrachi is one of three Canadians confirmed dead in Israel. Adi Vital-Kaploun, who had deep ties in Ottawa, and 33-year-old Alexandre Look from Montreal were also killed in the attacks.
As of Wednesday, the Palestine-Israel war has claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides.
V.I.A. has reached out to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver for comment.
With files from the Canadian Press.
