An X user posted images of two Delta employees wearing the pins, suggesting that the imagery made the traveller uncomfortable. “Since 2001 we take our shoes off in every airport because a terrorist attack in US soil. Now imagine getting into a @Delta flight and seeing workers with Hamas badges in the air.
What do you do?” the X user wrote.
In a since deleted post, Delta responded from its own X account. “I hear you as I’d be terrified as well, personally.
Our employees reflect our culture and we do not take it lightly when our policy is not being followed,” Delta wrote, according to a screenshot of the exchange shared by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
CAIR national deputy director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said Delta’s response was reprehensible and called on the airline to issue an apology.
“Whether this racist post on Delta’s X account was approved or unauthorized, Delta must apologize and take steps to educate its employees about this type of dangerous anti-Palestinian racism.
Bigotry against Palestinian-Americans is absolutely out of control in workplaces and at schools – and it must stop,” he said in a statement.
“The team member responsible for the post has been counseled and no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this error.”
Delta added that the two employees who were photographed wearing the pins were in compliance with its uniform policy, and that they still work for the airline.
Moving forward, though, employees will only be permitted to wear U.S. flags on their uniforms, Delta said. The new policy goes into effect July 15.
