An Air Canada pilot has been suspended for his “unacceptable” pro-Palestinian stance, the airline announced late Tuesday.
The positions of the pilot Mostafa Ezzo were first highlighted by the StopAntisemitism account on the social network X.
Photos shared on this account show the pilot during a demonstration. He is holding a sign that reads in English: “Adolf Hitler must be proud of Israel,” a “terrorist state.”
Mostafa Ezzo had also shared on his now-deleted social media a call for a demonstration for Palestine on Sunday in Dorchester Square, emblazoned with the message “Fuck you Israel, burn in hell.”
“We are aware of unacceptable messages from an Air Canada pilot. “We take this matter very seriously and have taken it out of service on Monday, October 9th,” Air Canada responded to X late in the afternoon after being questioned by numerous internet users, including Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner.
We are aware of unacceptable messages from an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously and he was discharged from duty on Monday, October 9th. We strongly condemn any form of violence.
– Air Canada (@AirCanada) October 10, 2023
When contacted for comment, the airline confirmed that the suspended pilot was indeed Mostafa Ezzo.
“This individual was never permitted to speak publicly as an Air Canada employee and was removed from duty on Monday, meaning he is no longer flying while we consider what happens next. “To investigate the matter,” an Air Canada spokesperson explained.
Demonstrations in support of Palestine took place in several Canadian cities on Sunday following Hamas’ bloody surprise attack on Israel. These demonstrations were widely condemned by the political class.