A Jewish passenger on an Iberia Airlines flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid said he was shocked to find the words “Free Palestine” written on the packaging of his kosher meal, prompting swift condemnation from a leading Jewish organization in Argentina.
The incident, which reportedly occurred aboard Spain’s national carrier, also affected other Jewish passengers who received meal trays marked with the initials “FP,” according to DAIA, the umbrella organization of Argentina’s Jewish community.
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A kosher meal tray marked with 'Free Palestine' served to Jewish passenger on board of Iberia Airlines flight
(Photo: @DAIAArgentina)
DAIA shared a photo of the meal on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and called the labeling “discriminatory.” The group said it had contacted aviation authorities seeking an explanation and immediate action.
Iberia, a member of the International Airlines Group (IAG), has not responded publicly to the claims.
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The controversy comes as another IAG-owned airline, Vueling, faces backlash over an unrelated incident in Spain. Last month, police in Valencia removed about 40 Jewish teenagers from a Vueling flight and detained their 22-year-old group leader.
The counselor, identified only as Élise, said the group, which had traveled from France, was targeted after one of the children shouted a word in Hebrew. She said flight attendants warned that the group would be removed if it happened again. The teens, many of whom wore kippahs and Star of David necklaces, were later escorted off the plane.
The moment of Élise's arrest last month by airport security in Valencia, Spain
Élise said she was detained, questioned and injured during the incident, which she described as antisemitic. Authorities allegedly forced the group to delete videos of the encounter.
Vueling denied any discriminatory conduct and said the group had violated flight safety regulations.