Jewish Passengers Sue American Airlines for Being Denied Entry Due to Wearing Magen David Necklace

Two Jewish women are suing American Airlines, accusing the carrier of not allowing them on a plane due to their Jewish identity, according to a Sunday Channel 12 report .

Miriam Einhorn and Rivka Gloch allege they were denied boarding on a flight from Miami International Airport because one of them was visibly wearing a Star of David necklace, the news outlet reported.

The incident took place on the morning of November 18, 2024. Miriam and Rivka arrived at Miami International Airport for a scheduled flight to New York. After clearing standard security checks, the women proceeded to the boarding gate and joined the line of passengers. When their turn came, however, they were allegedly informed that they would not be allowed to board and that their seats had already been reassigned. Airline staff claimed the women arrived too late to board, but Miriam and Rivka argue the real reason was the Star of David necklace Rivka was wearing.

In their federal court complaint, the women state that they were met with “hostile looks” as soon as they reached the front of the boarding line. They claim that when they pleaded with the crew to be allowed on board, they were mocked and laughed at.

Eventually, the women were rebooked on a different flight that departed approximately 12 hours later. To secure seats on the alternate flight, they had to pay an extra $25 each. During the extended wait at the airport, they spoke with an airline representative and explained what had happened. The representative reportedly told them that passengers are only required to be at the gate 15 minutes before departure— a condition Miriam and Rivka say they fulfilled. The lawsuit asserts that the two were removed from their original flight “in whole or in part because of their Jewish faith.”