Disruptive or discrimination? Airline barring sparks debate

A late-night incident at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 4 February, ignited global outrage and confusion after three religious Jewish men were denied permission to board a Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi.

The trio – Rabbi Noam Wagner, the head of a yeshiva in Sunningdale, Glenhazel, and two of his students – were part of a larger group en route to Crown Heights, New York, to commemorate Yud Shvat, the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe.

The group of 11 Johannesburg travellers, some affiliated with Sandringham Shul and Torah Academy Shul, were in high spirits ahead of the significant Chabad event in Brooklyn. Singing traditional nigunim (melodies) and engaging in festive dancing, their joy filled the terminal as they prepared to visit the Rebbe’s Ohel. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

However, when it came time to board, a Kenya Airways official denied entry to Wagner and his two students. Earlier, Wagner had conducted a farbrengen, sharing words of Torah, followed by a circle of about seven men dancing and singing. The denial of boarding to the visibly religious men sparked immediate confusion and anger among the group.

A video, filmed by one of the men in the group, captured the uncomfortable interaction with a Kenya Airways official. The man’s voice can be heard questioning why the three men – easily identifiable by their religious attire – were singled out while others boarded. The footage shows the official appearing to point out arbitrarily who could and couldn’t board while avoiding a clear explanation. The video features overlapping voices highlighting the complexity of the situation. What transpired before and after the video is a mystery.

The footage, although brief, went viral within minutes, shared by United States-based Instagrammer Melissa Chapman, who labelled the incident “an example of real Jew hate”. Her post, claiming the rabbi was barred from the flight because of “what he looks like”, fuelled debate over whether the men were victims of antisemitic profiling.

The incident quickly spiralled beyond OR Tambo Airport, as WhatsApp messages circulated globally, painting conflicting narratives and fuelling accusations from all sides. The situation became messy, heated, and hyper charged, with emotions running high and facts unclear.

As news unfolded, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) was brought into the fray, fielding calls from concerned community members. The SAJBD was summoned to investigate the incident amid conflicting accounts, and urged patience as it gathered facts.

The travellers insisted that the men weren’t intoxicated or disruptive, while Kenya Airways maintained their removal was due to disorderly behaviour.

In response to the backlash, Kenya Airways issued a formal statement denying discriminatory behaviour. “Our team in Johannesburg observed a group causing a disturbance at the boarding gate. It became clear the group was behaving disruptively and appeared intoxicated. Our staff addressed three passengers for their behaviour, in line with our commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of all our guests.”

The airline emphasised that safety protocols prohibited boarding passengers who appear intoxicated or disruptive. It said the men were informed that they could take the next flight once deemed safe to travel. Kenya Airways also noted that the rest of the group, equally identifiable as religious Jews, was allowed to board without issue.

“Although the guests suggested they were being profiled because of their religion, this wasn’t the case as the rest of their group travelled on the same flight.”

The airline reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, saying, “At Kenya Airways, we celebrate diversity. We are strongly committed to a zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on race, sex, disability, gender, age, beliefs, or socio-economic background.”

Since the incident, stakeholders from Kenya Airways and the travellers have worked discreetly to de-escalate tensions and resolve the situation. Conversations between airline representatives and the travellers have taken place. The travellers haven’t made any formal comment to the SA Jewish Report, saying they were preparing a joint statement, which wasn’t issued at the time of going to print.

One individual familiar with the saga, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “They weren’t intoxicated or disruptive. They were of sound mind. The shiur followed by dancing may have been mistaken as intoxication, but it was purely religious expression.” The source also claimed that Kenya Airways didn’t offer to rebook the men on the next flight, saying, “It was neither offered nor facilitated. Had that been the case, it would have made things easier and cheaper.”

Ultimately, Rabbi Wagner and his two students secured a direct flight to New York on a different airline later that night, arriving even earlier than their fellow travellers. By the time they reached Crown Heights, they were warmly welcomed by the Chabad community, already aware of the ordeal.

Charisse Zeifert, SAJBD deputy director, told the SA Jewish Report, “The SAJBD has been in touch with all parties involved in this upsetting incident. Our lawyer has advised Rabbi Wagner to open a case in respect of the incident.

“We have also been in touch with Kenya Airways, which has referred to the incident as ‘unfortunate, and one that could have been avoided’. It expressed that it held the Jewish community in high esteem, and said it didn’t follow any discriminatory actions. We are conducting further investigation into exactly what transpired.”

This incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for Jewish communities worldwide. The rise in antisemitic incidents since 7 October 2023 has heightened concern among Jewish travellers, making them more vigilant against potential discrimination. While many believe the men were unfairly targeted, others acknowledged that the exuberant behaviour, while culturally normal within Chassidic circles, may have been perceived as disruptive in an international airport.

The incident has left many questions unanswered. Were the men simply festive, or did their behaviour cross into disorderly conduct? Was this legitimate safety enforcement, or blatant discrimination against visibly religious passengers?

The pressing question now is whether those involved will press charges or lodge an official complaint. Should they proceed, CCTV footage from OR Tambo Airport could offer a definitive perspective. Until then, the video clips circulating online remain incomplete, providing just enough to ignite outrage but not enough to offer a clear, conclusive account.

According to the insider, for now, efforts remain focused on resolving the situation amicably and ensuring that such incidents, whether rooted in misunderstanding or something more serious, are handled with care and sensitivity.