New York (AP) — An Orthodox Jewish passenger has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after a troubling incident that allegedly occurred during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston on January 28, 2025. Yisroel Liebb, of New Jersey, claims he was forcibly removed from the airplane bathroom by the pilot while experiencing constipation, exposing his genitalia to other passengers in the process.
According to the lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, Liebb was in the bathroom of the United Airlines jet for approximately 20 minutes. Ten minutes after Liebb’s fellow traveler, Jacob Sebbag, was asked to check on him by a flight attendant, the pilot allegedly yelled for Liebb to leave the bathroom. When Liebb said he would be out momentarily, the pilot responded by violently breaking the lock and pulling Liebb out with his pants still around his ankles. This shocking act exposed him to Sebbag, flight attendants, and nearby passengers.
The treatment did not end there. Both Liebb and Sebbag allege that the pilot made disparaging remarks about their faith during the incident. They further claimed that upon arrival in Houston, they were met by a contingent of customs agents who paraded them through the airport terminal while handcuffed, which included being searched and placed in holding cells. “CBP Officers responded to reports of a disturbance on a flight at the request of the airline,” stated Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs for the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, he was unable to comment further due to the ongoing litigation.
Reports show that after being detained, both men missed a connecting flight to New York City. Although they were booked on another flight the following day by United Airlines, the complimentary tickets did little to ease their financial burden. The duo incurred extra expenses for an overnight hotel stay and food during their ordeal. “This isn’t county or state. We are Homeland. You have no rights here,” stated one CBP officer to Liebb when he inquired about the justification for his detention.
Liebb described feeling “sexually violated and embarrassed after having been publicly exposed in the nude”. His lawsuit suggests that the actions of the pilot and the subsequent treatment by CBP officers had a significant emotional impact. Additionally, Liebb reported that the handcuffs caused “severe wrist pain” that persisted for days following the incident.
Notably, this incident has raised concerns about the treatment of individuals based on their religious identity. The remarks made by the pilot, as alleged by Liebb and Sebbag, have sparked discussions surrounding discrimination against Orthodox Jews and the treatment of passengers under similar circumstances. United Airlines, for its part, has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, and the lawyer representing both men has yet to issue a statement.
As awareness grows about this case, it prompts an important reflection on the balance between security procedures and the rights of airline passengers. Issues such as the way passengers are treated in stressful situations, especially minority groups facing discrimination, remain at the forefront of this incident. The plaintiff's experience has caught the attention of both civil rights activists and religious organizations advocating for fair treatment.
The resolution of this lawsuit could have implications not just for the individuals involved but for airline policies and passenger treatment overall. As public scrutiny intensifies, United Airlines faces a challenging situation that may require them to reassess their practices regarding passenger privacy and treatment during flights.
As the legal proceedings continue, many will be watching closely to see how the situation is addressed and whether it highlights broader issues of institutional discrimination and the treatment of passengers in sensitive circumstances.
