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U.S. Department of Transport: Kuwait Airways Discriminates Against Israeli Citizens
The United States Department of Transportation sent a letter to Kuwait Airways, notifying about an unlawful discrimination against a Israeli passenger traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). (airwaysnews.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
What sane Isareli or n on-Israeli Jewish person would want to fly on an arab airline anyway? Kuwait is NOt as one commenter said, our best ally in the Middle East. Israel is our one and only ally in that partof the world. Period. If it were not for Kuwait's oil, does anyone think that the U.S. would have protected them from Saddam? It was and is all about oiil.
Are we getting the whole story here? While the website doesn't list Israel as a country, there is nothing in this story that actually says that Kuwaiti Airlines bans Israeli's from flying with them.
If it's true that Kuwaiti Airlines bans Israeli citizens from flying with them then the best solution would be for Eldad Gatt or some other interested party to file a civil lawsuit in a US court (since it was a flight from JFK).
The US would be foolish to create a diplomatic crisis over this issue. The world is full of racism and prejudice and it's not up to America to "fix the world" at the cost of relations with a sovereign country that is both economically and strategically valuable. Kuwait is our best friend in the middle east. It's not worth one guys complaint to risk damaging that.
If it's true that Kuwaiti Airlines bans Israeli citizens from flying with them then the best solution would be for Eldad Gatt or some other interested party to file a civil lawsuit in a US court (since it was a flight from JFK).
The US would be foolish to create a diplomatic crisis over this issue. The world is full of racism and prejudice and it's not up to America to "fix the world" at the cost of relations with a sovereign country that is both economically and strategically valuable. Kuwait is our best friend in the middle east. It's not worth one guys complaint to risk damaging that.
One other point about this issue. The international airports outer boundaries are considered a grey zone when it comes to international law. Passengers are not considered "inside the USA" until they pass through defined inner airport boundaries. Those laws could complicate this issue of suing Kuwaiti Airlines since they operate in the grey area of the airports and may not be subject to all US laws.
By "best friend" I meant "best Muslim Arab" friend.
I just thought of a great solution to this predicament.
The U.S. government says that any company (domestic or foreign) doing business on U.S. soil must follow U.S. laws. This should be pretty obvious to us.
Kuwait Airways says that they are a Kuwaiti company and want to follow (even enforce!) Kuwaiti law even when operating on U.S. soil and even when Kuwaiti law conflicts with U.S. law. In other words, in Kuwait Airways' opinion, Kuwaiti law trumps U.S. law on U.S. soil simply because Kuwait Airways is, first and foremost, a Kuwaiti company. They still want the freedom to operate on U.S. soil, though.
So the crux of the matter is that Kuwait Airways is a Kuwaiti company. I think the solution is what many other global companies implement.
Kuwait Airways should create a wholly-owned non-Kuwaiti subsidiary to operate (or at least sell tickets for) all their current flights between two cities which do not go through Kuwait. Think Virgin America, or Coca Cola Bottling Brazil, or many other examples. This way, Kuwait Airways would not be violating Kuwaiti laws yet could benefit financially from their efforts of operating flights between New York and London without violating U.S. laws.
The U.S. government says that any company (domestic or foreign) doing business on U.S. soil must follow U.S. laws. This should be pretty obvious to us.
Kuwait Airways says that they are a Kuwaiti company and want to follow (even enforce!) Kuwaiti law even when operating on U.S. soil and even when Kuwaiti law conflicts with U.S. law. In other words, in Kuwait Airways' opinion, Kuwaiti law trumps U.S. law on U.S. soil simply because Kuwait Airways is, first and foremost, a Kuwaiti company. They still want the freedom to operate on U.S. soil, though.
So the crux of the matter is that Kuwait Airways is a Kuwaiti company. I think the solution is what many other global companies implement.
Kuwait Airways should create a wholly-owned non-Kuwaiti subsidiary to operate (or at least sell tickets for) all their current flights between two cities which do not go through Kuwait. Think Virgin America, or Coca Cola Bottling Brazil, or many other examples. This way, Kuwait Airways would not be violating Kuwaiti laws yet could benefit financially from their efforts of operating flights between New York and London without violating U.S. laws.
Or maybe they could just have an "other" option under country question. :)
Why are they aloud to fly in the US if you can't abide by our laws? They should not be landing here. Does any United States Law apply to any wealthy Corp? This is sickening.