Israel’s El Al faces scrutiny after moving female passengers

JERUSALEM – Israeli airline El Al is facing new allegations of discrimination after moving two female passengers under pressure from male ultra-Orthodox travellers who refused to sit next to women.

In 2016, a similar case of discrimination was filed against the airline by a female passenger. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that asking a passenger to move their seat based on gender is a form of discrimination.

The most recent incident occurred on a New York to Tel Aviv flight last week. In a statement Sunday, El Al said discriminating against airline passengers is “forbidden” and that it does its utmost to serve a “wide array of populations and travellers.”

The Israel Religious Action Center, a progressive group that led last year’s lawsuit, accused the airline of breaking its commitments.