An Orthodox Jewish passenger has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, claiming that a pilot forcibly removed him from an airplane bathroom, exposing him to other passengers during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston. The passenger, Yisroel Liebb from New Jersey, details his experience of alleged discrimination and humiliation in a federal lawsuit, as noted by FOX26 Houston.
Liebb asserts that he was experiencing constipation and had informed his fellow traveler, Jacob Sebbag, who then conveyed the message to a flight attendant. Despite this communication, the pilot is said to have demanded that Liebb vacate the restroom immediately before proceeding to break the lock, and pull Liebb out while his pants were around his ankles. The pilot then purportedly pushed him and Sebbag back to their seats while making remarks about their faith, allegedly saying, "This isn’t county or state. We are Homeland. You have no rights here," according to statements made by Liebb in the suit, as reported by FOX26 Houston.
The lawsuit further alleges that following the plane's touchdown in Houston, several officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, boarded the plane. They took both men into custody and paraded them through the airport before placing them in holding cells and searching their luggage. These actions are claimed to have caused Liebb and Sebbag to miss their connecting flights, leading to additional financial strains for an overnight stay and meals, as per the lawsuit details obtained by FOX26 Houston.
Business Insider, which reviewed the complaint, reports that the plaintiffs are accusing United Airlines, and federal agencies of physical harm, unlawful detention, and religious discrimination. The lawsuit cites violations of the Montreal Convention, amid claims of emotional distress, discrimination, and physical injuries. "The complaint accuses United Airlines and the federal agencies of physical harm, unlawful detention, and religious discrimination," according to a Business Insider article. Both men are seeking monetary compensation for their alleged injuries and losses.
Both the United Airlines and the CBP have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. However, CBP Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Hilton Beckham mentioned in a statement that CBP officers had responded to a call to address a disturbance on the flight at the request of the airline, as per a report by FOX26 Houston. While the lawsuit is still pending, the Law Offices of Christian Martinez, PLLC, have moved forward with the case in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, representing Liebb and Sebbag in their quest for justice.
