Air Canada investigates flight attendant's pro-Palestinian pin

• Air Canada is investigating a complaint against a flight attendant who wore a pin resembling the map of 'Israel' in Palestinian flag colors with Al-Aqsa Mosque, after a passenger claimed it was a politically charged, antisemitic statement.
• The airline emphasized its uniform policy allows only non-political pins and symbols, and said it will address the issue directly with the employee while maintaining staff professionalism and neutrality.

Air Canada is reviewing a formal complaint against one of its flight attendants who reportedly wore a pin shaped like the map of 'Israel' but colored in the Palestinian flag's hues, featuring an image of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque in the center.

The incident occurred on a flight from Toronto to Atlanta last week

The complaint was filed by Israel Ellis, a Toronto-based Jewish businessman and author, who was traveling with his wife on the flight.

Ellis reported feeling harassed, threatened, and unsafe due to the pin, which he interpreted as a political statement promoting the replacement of 'Israel' with Palestine – a symbol he equated to a "clear call for genocide" and a guise for antisemitism.

He shared photos of the pin on Instagram, where the post garnered nearly 3,000 responses and over 1,400 comments.

Ellis said: "There is no place for political statements of any kind on a public airline, especially those identifying with a polarized issue used as a guise for antisemitism."

The flight attendant, who was also wearing a headscarf, positioned the pin beneath her official airline badge.

Ellis claimed it was an uncomfortable interaction, saying the attendant shouted at him with a grimace while he wore a Star of David necklace.

In response, Air Canada confirmed it is investigating the matter and will address it directly with the employee involved.

Peter Fitzpatrick, the airline's manager of corporate communications, reiterated the company's uniform policy, which specifies a finite list of permissible pins and symbols – all non-political, such as a poppy for remembrance.

The airline has not disclosed whether the pin violated its code of conduct or any potential disciplinary actions, but emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism and neutrality for staff.