Delta Airlines Apologizes After Erroneous X Post Regarding Palestinian Flag Pins

Delta Airlines issued an apology on Thursday following a controversy stemming from its official X account's response to a post that falsely claimed two flight attendants wearing Palestinian flag pins were displaying "Hamas badges." This incident has incited significant backlash and has underscored issues related to racial and cultural sensitivity.

The original post, made by an X user with the handle “ilikeTeslas,” stated: “Since 2001 we take our shoes off in every airport because a terrorist attack on US soil. Now imagine getting into a @Delta flight and seeing workers with Hamas badges in the air. What do you do?”

In response, Delta Air Lines' X account replied: “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.” This response was subsequently deleted.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy organization, condemned the airline for what they described as a “racist anti-Palestinian tweet” and demanded an apology along with better education for Delta staff.

On Thursday, Delta released a statement: "We removed a mistakenly posted comment on X Wednesday because it was not in line with our values and our mission to connect the world. The team member responsible for the post has been counseled and no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this error.”

CAIR criticized the original tweet's implication that a Palestinian flag pin worn by a flight attendant was a “Hamas badge.” The Palestinian flag, which consists of black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle on the left side, represents the Palestinian people. Hamas, an Islamist militant organization, has a distinct flag with a green background and white writing of the Shahada, an Islamic statement of faith, as noted by the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR National Deputy Director, stated, “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.”

Delta clarified that the photos included in the original tweet depicted flight attendants on separate flights on different days. Neither of the flight attendants has been dismissed for wearing the pins, as both complied with Delta's uniform guidelines. The airline added, “We’re in touch with the flight attendants to offer support.”

However, Delta announced a change in its pin allowance policy, effective July 15. From this date, only U.S. flags will be permitted on uniforms. Previously, pins representing various countries and nationalities were allowed. Delta stated, “We are taking this step to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for all. We are proud of our diverse base of employees and customers and the foundation of our brand, which is to connect the world and provide a premium experience.”

The deleted tweet provoked significant outrage on X. Omar Suleiman, a Palestinian American imam and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, tweeted: “These airlines won’t learn until you stop giving them business @Delta #BoycottDelta.” Another X user commented, “I hear you? What’s the Palestinians got to do with 9/11? Isn’t the whole screenshot the perfect encapsulation of real racism and Islamophobia? Pathetic really. Only in America.” A further user added, “As a Palestinian American, I will make a point to #BoycottDelta because of your racism and devaluation of Palestinian lives and rights.”

The Palestinian flag has increasingly become a symbol of solidarity for the suffering of the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 38,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and over 1,200 were killed in Israel during Hamas' October 7 attack, including both soldiers and civilians. The continuous Israeli strikes in Gaza have led to a humanitarian crisis, with up to 1.9 million people internally displaced across the Gaza Strip, some having been displaced multiple times, as reported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The conflict has sparked demonstrations worldwide, including in the United States, with protests erupting on college campuses and an increase in reports of antisemitic, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic incidents.