Kuwait Airways to Pay Israeli Passenger It Refused Because of Nationality
Kuwait Airways will pay an Israeli citizen whom it barred from flying based on her nationality.
Last November, Mandy Blumenthal was barred from purchasing a ticket on a Kuwait Airways flight from London (LHR) to Bangkok (BKK) via Kuwait (KWI). Blumenthal was at the Kuwait Airways ticket counter in Heathrow airport, where she attempted to purchase a ticket to go on vacation. After the Kuwait agent saw her Israeli passport, she was repeatedly told that "Israeli passport holders are not permitted to travel on Kuwait Airways."
UK Lawyers for Israel, a group of lawyers who support Israel, organized a case on behalf of Blumenthal, citing damages for racial discrimination and harassment.
“Kuwait Airways has agreed to pay substantial damages plus costs to an Israeli National who was refused a ticket on a Kuwait Airways flight from London to Bangkok on the grounds of her nationality,” UK Lawyers for Israel said in a statement.
Blumenthal is a pro-Israel activist and captured the event on video. It appears to have been set up, with Blumenthal knowing what would happen when she presented her Israeli passport.
“It is horrible to be singled out, to be told you are not allowed to do something because of who you are,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “Having someone telling me that he is following instructions, that it is a rule, a policy, gave me a sinking feeling inside. In my mind, it is an anti-Semitic policy to single out the only Jewish state to boycott.”
Although Kuwait Airways will compensate Blumenthal, it did not acknowledge its liability in the dispute.
A 1964 Kuwaiti law was the basis for Kuwait Airways' decision to not ticket the passenger — since the rule bars Kuwaiti citizens from doing business with Israeli citizens.
Last year, a German court ruled on similar incident, declaring that it was legal for the airline to refuse service to Israeli citizens. The controversial decision is being appealed.
"The law is clear: direct discrimination on grounds of nationality in the provision of a service to the public is illegal," Blumenthal's lawyer David Berens said in a statement. "Ms. Blumenthal has done a service in showing up Kuwait Airways’ illegal policy. Kuwait Airways is now legally obliged to end this policy or end its services from the UK altogether.”
The carrier has already lost routes because of the discriminatory rule. In 2015 the airline had to end its New York (JFK) - London route because the US ordered the airline to allow Israelis onto flights. It ended all intra-European flights after a Swiss court ruled against the airline in 2016.
TPG attempted to reach Kuwait Airways for comment but the airline did not respond by the time of publication.
Reports from 2013 and 2014 indicate that Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national carrier, won't fly Israeli citizens either. Even when we tried to purchase a ticket on Saudia's website, from New York JFK to Mumbai (BOM), there was no option to indicate the passenger's nationality as Israeli.
TPG also reached out to Saudia for comment, but has not heard back by time of publication.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.