Who is Mostafa Ezzo? What Did Mostafa Ezzo Do?
by Aishwarya R | Updated Oct 13, 2023
Who is Mostafa Ezzo?
Mostafa Ezzo is an Air Canada pilot who found himself at the center of controversy as the airline took him out of service following complaints from his Instagram followers about his contentious remarks concerning Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Air Canada officially announced the grounding of the pilot on October 9, responding to the public outcry over Ezzo's statements.
Reports emerged that Ezzo had been actively sharing images of himself donning pro-Palestine colors while in his Air Canada pilot uniform, a move that raised significant concerns within the company and the public sphere. Despite being removed from active duty, Mostafa Ezzo continues to maintain his status as an Air Canada employee.
The airline confirmed the grounding in an official statement, signaling its commitment to address the situation. Ezzo's social media accounts have since been taken down, indicating a concerted effort to contain the fallout of the controversy. As the incident unfolds, public scrutiny remains on both Ezzo's actions and the airline's handling of the matter.
What did Mostafa Ezzo Do?
Mostafa Ezzo, a First Officer for Air Canada's B787 flights based in Montreal, found himself embroiled in a controversy after his Instagram activities drew attention to his strong stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Through his official Instagram Ezzo shared numerous posts expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Among these were shares of the Montreal All Out for Palestine protest by the Palestine youth movement, featuring Palestine flags and a "Free Palestine" sticker.
In a series of Instagram stories, Ezzo showcased his active participation in pro-Palestine rallies, often incorporating slogans condemning Israel. One particularly provocative post depicted Ezzo wearing a pro-Palestine keffiyeh while donning his Air Canada uniform, raising concerns about the mixing of personal views with his professional identity.
Additionally, he shared a picture holding a sign displaying an Israel flag in a trash can with the text "Keep the world clean," alongside slogans referring to Israel as a "Terrorist State" and drawing parallels between Israel and Hitler. As Ezzo's Instagram activities gained widespread attention among his followers, a significant number of individuals took to social media to voice their concerns to Air Canada, expressing discomfort with the idea of Ezzo being in a position of authority.
Their voices collectively demanded the removal of Ezzo from his role, citing concerns about safety and expressing reluctance to fly under his command. Following the public outcry, Ezzo's Instagram account was subsequently removed from the platform.
Actions Against Mostafa Ezzo
Following an influx of complaints, Air Canada swiftly responded to the situation involving Mostafa Ezzo, taking significant measures in response to the controversy. One of the primary factors leading to Ezzo's grounding was the dissemination of photographs featuring him dressed in Palestinian colors while in his Air Canada uniform, a move that drew widespread criticism and concern.
Air Canada's spokesperson, Peter Fitzpatrick, emphasized the airline's decision, stating unequivocally that Ezzo's opinions and social media posts were in no way reflective of Air Canada's stance. Fitzpatrick clarified that Ezzo was never authorized to represent the airline publicly, particularly in light of the controversial content he shared on social media platforms.
On October 11, the airline further reinforced its stance, confirming through a tweet that Ezzo had been removed from service starting October 9. Air Canada reiterated its commitment to addressing the matter with utmost seriousness, emphasizing its strong condemnation of violence in all its forms. The airline's prompt action underscored its dedication to upholding its values and ensuring that its employees' conduct aligns with its established principles and standards.
Mostafa Ezzo Instagram
Mostafa Ezzo's official Instagram handle was @mostafa.ezzo.7. However, his account has been removed following a series of controversial posts concerning Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Ezzo's Instagram activity, which included contentious posts and images, drew significant attention and led to widespread public scrutiny. As a result, the removal of his Instagram account reflects the consequential impact of his social media presence and the subsequent actions taken by relevant authorities or platforms.
Who is Mostafa Ezzo - FAQs
Mostafa Ezzo is an Air Canada pilot who gained notoriety for his controversial social media posts, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Mostafa Ezzo posted controversial content on his social media, including images of himself in pro-Palestine attire while in his Air Canada uniform, and expressing strong views against Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In response to public outcry and complaints, Air Canada took swift action by grounding Mostafa Ezzo, emphasizing that his views and social media posts do not align with the company's values. Ezzo's Instagram account was subsequently removed.
Mostafa Ezzo's Instagram handle was @mostafa.ezzo.7. However, following the controversy and the dissemination of contentious content, his Instagram account has been taken down, thus making his profile inaccessible on the platform.
Mostafa Ezzo was grounded by Air Canada due to his involvement in posting controversial content on social media, including images of himself in pro-Palestine attire while in his Air Canada uniform, which was deemed inconsistent with the airline's values and policies.