Air Canada Fires Pilot Over ‘Unacceptable’ Social Media Posts on Hamas Attack

An Air Canada ticketing station is shown at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on April 8, 2020. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

Air Canada has fired one of its pilots for making what it says are “unacceptable” comments on social media regarding the recent Hamas attack on Israel.

U.S.-based group StopAntiSemitism recently shared Instagram screenshots featuring an individual identified as Mostafa Ezzo. In one of the images, Mr. Ezzo was seen wearing his pilot’s uniform adorned with Palestinian flags. In a separate photo, he was seen holding a sign at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Montreal that said “Israel, Hitler is proud of you.”

Following these events, Air Canada announced on Oct. 10 that Mr. Ezzo had been removed from active duty. “We can confirm the pilot in question no longer works for Air Canada, following the process initiated on Monday,” the company reiterated on platform X on Oct. 11.

Mr. Ezzo has reportedly deleted his social media accounts.

The Air Line Pilots Association, a union representing Air Canada pilots, expressed its concern regarding the recent events in the Middle East. In a statement released on Oct. 10, the association said it denounced all forms of violence and hatred, as well as any efforts to propagate them.

“We condemn all violence and hatred, and any promotion thereof. It is our firm expectation that all of our members abide by this principle and our professional code of ethics,” the union’s Air Canada contingent said, according to The Canadian Press.

The Epoch Times reached out to the union for comment regarding the termination of Mr. Ezzo but didn’t hear back immediately.

Several pro-Palestine rallies have occurred in Canadian cities including Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton, in response to the terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel. These rallies have drawn criticism from several provincial and municipal officials, including Quebec Premier François Legault and British Columbia Premier David Eby. Leaders of all major parties in Canada have also condemned the Hamas attack.

The death toll in Israel linked to the Hamas attack has risen to over 1,200.