—
United Faces Lawsuit Amid Discrimination Against 57 Jewish Passengers
By Rachel Levinson – Investigative Correspondent
Chicago, IL – May 8, 2025
United Airlines is facing a firestorm of criticism and a class-action federal lawsuit following allegations that the carrier engaged in discriminatory practices against a group of 57 Jewish passengers on a flight from Newark to Tel Aviv last month.
The plaintiffs, represented by the American Center for Civil Liberties (ACCL), allege that the airline systematically targeted observant Jewish passengers for removal, delays, and “undignified treatment” during pre-boarding and in-flight procedures. The incident occurred on Flight UA972, which was scheduled to depart Newark Liberty International Airport on April 6 but ultimately left over three hours late after nearly five dozen passengers, all visibly Jewish, were escorted off the plane by security.
According to sworn affidavits and video evidence submitted as part of the legal filing in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois, passengers wearing religious garments such as kippot, tzitzit, and sheitels were approached by United gate agents and asked a series of “targeted” questions about their travel purpose, group affiliation, and whether they intended to “walk around the cabin in prayer.”
“Humiliating and Targeted”
Rabbi Menachem Weiss, a community leader from Brooklyn who was traveling with his extended family to celebrate Passover in Israel, said the experience was “humiliating and deliberately orchestrated to provoke fear and compliance.”
“We were treated like threats,” Weiss told reporters at a press conference. “They singled us out one by one, asked if we were part of a group, and then accused us of being ‘disruptive’ before removing us from the flight without explanation. Some of us were elderly. Children were crying. They never once explained what we had done wrong.”
The 68-year-old rabbi said United staff told the group their behavior was “raising concerns among the flight crew,” although no formal complaints were documented from other passengers. Cell phone footage later revealed that some of the passengers removed had not spoken a word during boarding but were still pulled aside after visual identification.
“A Pattern of Bias?”
This is not the first time United Airlines has faced questions regarding racial or religious bias. In 2021, the company was sued by a Muslim family after being removed from a flight for what the airline claimed was “suspicious behavior”—later revealed to be the father praying quietly before takeoff. The case was settled out of court.
A spokesperson for the ACCL said the current case “follows an alarming pattern” of United staff responding to “cultural unfamiliarity with disproportionate aggression.”
“Religious minorities, especially those who dress or behave differently in public, are being profiled,” said civil rights attorney Lara Epstein. “In this case, it’s 57 passengers—most of whom had no connection to each other—being treated as a coordinated threat. That is not a misunderstanding. That is systemic discrimination.”
United’s Response
United Airlines issued a brief statement acknowledging the incident but denying any wrongdoing.
“We take these allegations seriously,” the statement read. “Safety is our highest priority, and our crew members are trained to respond to any situation that may compromise the safety or comfort of passengers. The decision to delay and review boarding procedures on Flight UA972 was based on operational concerns, not on any individual’s religion or appearance.”
Despite the airline’s statement, internal documents leaked to the press suggest United staff flagged “multiple passengers appearing to belong to the same religious group” as a potential issue before takeoff. A note in the flight operations log obtained by The Chicago Ledger reads: “Large group of passengers with unclear relationship—possible disruption based on prior incidents involving group prayer.”
Government and Community Reaction
The incident has triggered responses from multiple Jewish advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has called for a federal investigation into United’s training programs and passenger conduct protocols.
“Airlines must be places of equal treatment and dignity,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL. “There is no excuse for profiling passengers based on how they look, what they wear, or how they pray.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation confirmed in a statement that it has opened an inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, several members of Congress have voiced concern, including Rep. Ilhan Cohen (D-MN) and Rep. David Horowitz (R-NY), who jointly signed a letter demanding transparency from United Airlines and the FAA.
Passengers Left Stranded
In addition to the emotional trauma, many of the removed passengers claim they suffered financial and logistical hardship. Several missed Passover observances with family members in Israel and were unable to rebook on alternate flights without paying exorbitant last-minute fees.
“It felt like we were being punished for our faith,” said Esther Gold, a mother of four from Lakewood, NJ, who was separated from her husband and oldest son during the removals. “They told me I was being ‘non-compliant’ because I asked if my kosher meal had been loaded.”
Passengers who were allowed to reboard the flight hours later reported “cold and suspicious treatment” from the remaining crew, with one plaintiff alleging that a flight attendant refused to speak to him or provide water during the 10-hour journey.
Legal Demands
The class-action lawsuit demands compensatory damages, an official apology, and a court-ordered overhaul of United’s passenger screening and cultural sensitivity protocols. It also calls for the creation of an independent watchdog group to monitor civil rights violations in commercial air travel.
“The broader issue is one of policy and precedent,” said attorney Epstein. “This case will determine whether airlines can arbitrarily interpret religion as a risk factor and then act with impunity.”
A Turning Point?
Whether the lawsuit succeeds in court remains to be seen, but it has already sparked wider conversations about bias in the travel industry. Jewish leaders from various denominations have pledged to push for stronger protections, while interfaith coalitions are urging all airlines to reevaluate how they handle diverse passenger groups.
For Rabbi Weiss, the goal is not punishment but accountability.
“We are not looking for revenge,” he said. “We are asking for dignity, respect, and the freedom to travel without fear—just like anyone else.”
As public pressure mounts and investigations continue, United Airlines may soon face not only legal consequences, but a reckoning with its public image.
—