Kadima MK verbally abuses airport staff

Kadima MK Whbee shouts at airport staff during security check after arriving late for flight, security officials say

Eli Senior|Published: 04.18.07 , 17:49

Kadima MK Majalli Whbee was taken off a flight and reprimanded by the head of security at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday after verbally abusingsecurity officials there, Ynet has learnt.

Security officials at the airport claim that Whbee, who arrived late for a Royal Jordanian flight, shouted and cursed them during the regular check-in procedures.

The Druze MK later admitted that he had rowed with security guards at the airport, but denied that he had cursed.

Airport officials told Ynet that Whbee arrived at the airport at 7.30 am for an 8 am flight.

When he realized that the Royal Jordanian check-in counters had been closed and that passengers were boarding the plane, he pressed officials for a hurried check-in.

The security guards however insisted on the normal procedure, after having contacted the plane's air hostesses to arrange for Whbee to board the plane on time.

"Why are you going so slow?" Whbee reportedly shouted at one guard who sought to consult with the plane's crew.

The MK lost his temper when asked routine security questions such as, 'Did you pack your luggage by yourself?' and 'Did anyone give you anything to take with you?'.

'Doing my head in'

At that time, so airport officials said, Whbee snapped at the female staff member who was questioning him: "You are a bunch of fools. Why don't you ask logical questions, using your brain? You are rude asking these questions."

Whbee continued his rant even after it was explained to him that staff cannot bend security procedures. "Do you want to continue working here? Why are you doing my head in?" he then shouted.

The female staff member refused to deal with Whbee who was then questioned and ushered to the plane by a senior security official.

But the MK was asked to deplane and meet the airport's head of security who had heard about the incident and had decided to reprimand Whbee for his inappropriate behavior.

"Considering how late he arrived for the flight, no other citizen would have boarded," airport officials said.

After the meeting, Whbee returned to the plane for a delayed take off, officials said.

Speaking to Ynet, Whbee said he was irritated by the airport staff's questions because he had no luggage, but just a simple handbag.

Whbee denied that the flight was delayed and said he arrived at the airport at 7.15 am and not at 7.30 am as claimed by airport officials.

"They want to blow things out of proportion," Whbee said of the security officials contacted by Ynet. "It is certainly stupid when they ask about things that don't exist. When I return I want to conduct an in-depth inquiry about the issue. I want to meet the chief security officer about it."