Pilot Punished For Anti-Israel Posts & Wearing Pro-Palestine Colours

New Delhi: The unprecedented attack launched by Hamas from ground, air and sea four days ago has set off another war, with Israel declaring all-out aggression on the Palestinian militant organisation in Gaza.

Pro-Israeli nations have all expressed their solidarity through messages conveyed to Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu.

It wasn’t prudent of Mostafa Ezzo to publicly display his sympathies for Palestine under the circumstances. Not surprisingly, the Air Canada pilot paid a heavy price.

The Montreal-based first officer was removed from active duty by Canada’s national carrier after he allegedly wore pro-Palestinian colours while on duty and also posted derogatory comments against Israel on social media, The Toronto Sun reported.

“The pilot was taken out of service as of yesterday,” Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told The Toronto Sun.

Ezzo remains an employee of the airline, but he is currently grounded and placed on an internal no-fly list by Air Canada.

Canada is an Israel ally, but protesters held a pro-Palestine rally in Montreal. And Ezzo’s involvement in promoting the rally was questioned following his post with a caption that read, “F*** you Israel, burn in hell.”

In another post, he labelled Israel as a “terrorist state” and expressed pride in Hitler.

Air Canada authorities said that Ezzo’s opinions expressed on social media were completely personal and don’t align with the airline’s views.

Hence, he has been suspended, said Air Canada, adding that an investigation is underway.

Firmly “denouncing violence in all forms,” Air Canada stated through a post on X: “We are aware of the unacceptable posts made by an Air Canada pilot. We are taking this matter very seriously, and he was taken out of service on Mon, Oct. 9.”