UAE Flag Carrier Suspends Tunisian Pilot for Refusing to Fly Plane to Israel

On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates' flag carrier decided to suspend a Tunisian pilot, named Monem Sahib al-Taba, over his refusal to fly a plane to Israel.

Many social media users condemned the move and angrily reacted to the Emirati company's decision to suspend  the Tunisian pilot, who commented, “God is the only one who takes care of me… I do not regret it."

Al-Taba was suspended pending his presentation to the disciplinary committee.

Arab activists denounced the suspension, and praised al-Taba for his “heroic stance” to refuse to recognize the Israeli regime despite Abu Dhabi's normalization of ties with Tel Aviv.

“Whoever leaves something for God, God will compensate him with something better,” said Palestinian activist Tamer Almisshal.

“This honorable free pilot and many others like him are the obstacle to normalization with the Israeli entity that the occupiers fear,” wrote another activist, Chiheb Eddinne Mellouli.

Back in September, Israeli airlines began operating direct flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Abu Dhabi signed an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel last year.

Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco later announced normalization agreements of their own with the Tel Aviv regime.

Tunisia has made it clear that it will not follow suit in normalizing relations with Israel, and that its position on the Palestinians' legitimate rights will not be affected by any international developments.