Iberia serves Jewish passenger a kosher meal with ‘Free Palestine’ written on it
Other meals bore initials ‘FP’ in same pen, says passenger on Buenos Aires-Madrid flight, adding crew apologized; Argentine Jewish group demands airline take ‘immediate action’
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A Jewish passenger who requested a kosher meal on an Iberia Airlines flight received his food tray with the words “Free Palestine” written on the packaging, Argentina’s DAIA umbrella Jewish organization said Monday.
Salvador Auday, who reported the incident to the airplane crew, said that several other unopened meals bore the initials “FP,” written with the same pen, the group said.
The incident occurred Monday on flight IB102 from Buenos Aires to Madrid, with its final destination reportedly in Israel.
“I reported the incident to the head flight attendant, who took down the complaint, took photos, etc. They tried to apologize in every possible way,” said Auday to Argentinian Jewish newspaper Vis á Vis. He speculated that the words were written by one of the food supplier’s employees rather than a member of the aircrew.
“Apparently, it wasn’t any of the crew members, so if it came from outside, I’d imagine that Iberia will conduct an internal investigation of its suppliers and procedures. That’s precisely why I reported it, so that it doesn’t get forgotten,” he continued.
The Spanish airline said Tuesday that it had indeed opened an investigation into the incident.
“The Iberia crew documented the incident and took action to assist those affected. The captain personally approached them to apologize on behalf of the airline,” the airline said in a statement, adding that it had opened an internal investigation and was working with its catering providers to determine how the labels were added.
Iberia said it “categorically rejects any form of discrimination, incitement to hatred, or behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals”.
The incident was reported not just to the flight crew, but also to the Delegation of Argentine Jewish Associations (DAIA), which represents the Latin American country’s Jewish community.
Grave acto de antisemitismo en vuelo de @Iberia denunciado en la DAIA
En el vuelo IB0102 Buenos Aires–Madrid, el pasajero Salvador Auday recibió su bandeja de comida kosher con la leyenda “Free Palestine”. Otros pasajeros judíos también recibieron bandejas con las iniciales… pic.twitter.com/2srkgOGIQU
— DAIA (@DAIAArgentina) August 4, 2025
“We condemn this discriminatory act and have contacted the airline’s authorities to demand explanations and immediate action,” announced the organization Monday night.
The Anti-Defamation League said it was “deeply concerned” by the DAIA’s “disturbing report… regarding antisemitic messages targeting Jewish passengers on an Iberia Buenos Aires-Madrid flight.”
The organization called on the airline to “investigate immediately and take appropriate action.”
AFP contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.