Saudi Arabia Denies Religious Bias
In response to concerns of religious discrimination raised by
the inclusion of Saudi Arabian Airlines in the global SkyTeam
Alliance, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has called on Delta Air
Lines to ensure that Jewish, Israeli and other non-Muslim
passengers do not face discrimination as a result of the
partnership.
In a news release Friday, the ADL said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL
National Director had written a letter to Delta calling on the
American carrier to make clear to officials of Saudi Arabian
Airlines and to the Saudi government that "it will not be a party"
to discriminatory policies. The League spoke out after questions
about the alliance were raised in news reports – notably,
whether as a result of the partnership Delta Air Lines would be
forced to bar Jews and holders of Israeli passports from boarding
flights bound for Jeddah and other Saudi cities.
"We understand that Delta, as any airline, is required to comply
with the visa requirements of the destination country," wrote Mr.
Foxman in a letter to Delta CEO Richard H. Anderson.
"However, Saudi Arabia's past practice of banning travelers with an
"Israel" stamp in their passport from gaining entry into the
country runs contrary to the spirit and intent of Delta's
non-discrimination policy.
"While this practice affects all travelers who previously
visited Israel, it has a disproportionate impact on Jewish
passengers," continued Mr. Foxman. "Moreover, Saudi Arabia
also bars anyone from bringing into Saudi Arabia religious ritual
objects, including religious texts, from any faith other than
Islam, effectively banning religiously observant Jews from entering
the country."
In a statement posted on the airline's Web site on June 23, a
Delta spokesman stated that, "…it's important to realize
that visa requirements to enter any country are dictated by that
nation's government, not the airlines, and they apply to anyone
entering the country regardless of whether it's by plane, bus or
train."
The League responded, "We expect Delta, and any other American
airline which flies to Riyadh or partners with an airline that
flies there to ensure that its passengers – whatever their
faith – not be discriminated against, and that no American
airline in any way enable, or facilitate this discrimination,
whatever the regulations of Saudi Arabia."
ADL is making similar appeals to United Airlines and other
American carriers who service Saudi Arabian destinations either on
their own or through code-share partnerships. The League is
also reaching out to the government of Saudi Arabia to get
clarification of their visa policy with respect to Israeli and
Jewish travelers.
For its part, the Saudi Arabia says the "story circulated on the
Internet" regarding implications of Saudi Arabian Airlines'
membership in the Delta Airlines SkyTeam Alliance are "false."
"Rumors being circulated via the Internet regarding passenger
flight restrictions on Saudi Arabian Airlines are completely
false," the Saudi government said in a statement. "The Government
of Saudi Arabia does not deny visas to U.S. citizens based on their
religion."