Ryanair apology overshadows Israeli killing of five Palestinians in refugee camp

Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson has apologised to a Jewish human rights group after a cabin crew member announced a flight would be landing in Palestine.

The comment was made on a Ryanair flight from Bologna to Tel-Aviv. The comment, made in both Italian and English, caused uproar on the flight.

Despite apologies from the Ryanair cabin crew member after their comment, several passengers complained and were abusive towards members of Ryanair staff. Police had to be called when the plane landed.

The incident has drawn wide attention in the news and across social media, and has largely distracted from the reality of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Al Jazeera reports Israeli forces raiding a refugee camp in Jenin have injured at least 91 Palestinians, killing five, including one 15-year-old. The number of wounded may still rise.

This morning, Israeli forces shot 15-year-old Ahmad Yousef Ahmad Saqer with live ammunition in the abdomen from inside an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli military incursion into Jenin refugee camp. Doctors at Jenin Government Hospital declared Ahmad dead shortly after. pic.twitter.com/9yQS2HY4BO

— Defense for Children (@DCIPalestine) June 19, 2023

A Palestinian journalist was also injured, as gunfire from Israeli soldiers was directed at a group of journalists and media workers. People were also reportedly shot at near a hospital, and several ambulances were fired at, and delayed in aiding wounded Palestinians.

Ryanair’s Chief executive Eddie Wilson issued an apology to the Simon Wiesenthal Centre for a comment that he said had no “political overtones or intent”.

Mr. Wilson called Israel an “important partner” for Ryanair, as well as mentioning that it was Israel’s second-largest airline.

"We plan to invest in Israel to grow traffic and connectivity both for Israelis travelling to Europe and also to bring much-needed inbound tourism to Israel," he said.

According to the Associated Press, over 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2023. At least 20 people have been killed in Israel by Palestinian attacks in the same time.

This is not the first time a member of cabin crew has received backlash after referring to Palestine on a flight. There have been similar incidents on AirFrance, Alitalia and Iberia flights. In all cases, Israeli voices and companies boycotted the airlines until staff were fired and apologies were issued.

For the first time since 2000, lsraeli occupation forces uses warplanes during a mass raid on Jenin. pic.twitter.com/trRm5ofz5t

— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) June 19, 2023