Alitalia Pilot's 'Palestine' Remark Angers Israelis

Yahoo! News ^ | Tue May 6,10:24 AM ET | Reuters

[yonif]

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Alitalia pilot stunned passengers flying to Tel Aviv on Israel's Memorial Day by announcing "Welcome to Palestine, Happy Independence Day to Palestine," aviation authorities said.

Israel celebrates 55 years of independence Wednesday after remembering its 21,540 war dead on Tuesday in ceremonies at graveyards across the country.

"(The pilot's comment) was insensitive on a day when thousands of people are at cemeteries," said Pini Schiff, spokesman for Israel's Civil Aviation Authority. He told Reuters the CAA would send a formal complaint to aviation regulators.

Orly Segal, Alitalia's commercial manager in Tel Aviv, said the airline had not yet spoken to the pilot, but added "he won't fly to Israel any more -- that's for sure."

Schiff said passengers on the Rome-Tel Aviv flight complained to the cabin crew about the pilot's remarks. Israeli media reported that passengers demanded the pilot come out and explain himself, but he remained in the cockpit.

The Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv condemned the pilot's remark as an "irresponsible act" and said Alitalia's chief executive, Francesco Mengozzi, sent a letter to Ehud Goal, Israel's ambassador to Italy, saying the pilot's comment was "not in line with Alitalia's posture."

[yonif]

If I was on that plane, you can assume what I would have sparked an argument with the pilot (after we landed of course).

[Catspaw]

Yoni, if it'd been me, I don't know if I wouldn't waited until we landed.

I would've been, um, forceful, but polite (well, as polite as I could be under the circumstances).

[John Frum]

Just because someone's a pilot doesn't make them automatically smart. Whether or not the pilot actually felt the way he spoke, he should have just kept his mouth shut, as he was, in effect, representing the business entity (the airline).

[yonif]

All Israeli's should fly El Al (the national airline). It might be more expensive, but it is safer, and helps the Israeli economy as well.

[Mister Baredog]

"(The pilot's comment) was insensitive on a day when thousands of people are at cemeteries,"

I supose this means any other day would be fine, he'll probably secretly get a raise.

[ffusco]

But the food on Alitalia is tastier, if not Kosher ; )

[ffusco]

Fly an American Airline, a robust American economy permits massive aid to Israel.

[yonif]

Ping.

[yonif]

yeah, but his remarks were implaying that there is a country of Palestine celebrating its independence.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Actually it was called originally called Canaan. Philista is presently known as the Gaza Strip.

[Norse]

>It might be more expensive, but it is safer, and helps the >Israeli economy as well.

So does flying Alitalia...