A 20-year-old Jewish man from New Jersey, Yisroel Liebb, has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines, claiming that a pilot forcibly removed him from an airplane restroom while his pants were down, leaving him exposed in front of passengers and leading to his wrongful detention.
The incident occurred on a flight from Mexico to Texas when Liebb, who was experiencing constipation, remained in the bathroom for 30 minutes. His seatmate, Jacob Sebbag, grew concerned and informed the flight crew. A flight attendant knocked on the door, and Liebb assured them he would exit soon. However, after another 10 minutes, the pilot allegedly intervened, broke down the door, and dragged Liebb out, exposing him to other travelers. The lawsuit also alleges that the pilot made an anti-Semitic remark, saying, “That’s how Jews act.”
Upon landing, five U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detained both Liebb and Sebbag, allegedly placing them in tight handcuffs, causing them pain. They were taken to a detention facility at the airport, though no charges were filed.
Passengers Missed Connecting Flight
Due to the delay, Liebb and Sebbag missed their connecting flight to New York. While United Airlines rebooked them for the next day at no extra charge, they had to cover hotel and food expenses themselves. The lawsuit also claims that Liebb suffered injuries to his head and legs, while both continue to experience severe wrist pain from the handcuffs.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation and names the Department of Homeland Security, TSA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as defendants.
When asked about the lawsuit, United Airlines declined to comment, stating it had “nothing to share” on the matter.
