Flight Grounded After Passenger Yells, ‘There’s a War Going on in Palestine’

The flight from Sydney to Melbourne was abandoned before taking off later in the day.

The Jetstar check-in area at Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal as seen in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 07, 2020. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

A Jetstar plane was grounded in Sydney on Tuesday morning after “unusual” conduct from a passenger led to the airline calling the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Passengers on the plane had to evacuate after yelling and ranting took place regarding the Israel and Hamas conflict.

Five passengers initially left the plane and then all travellers were ordered off the plane.

Jetstar flight JQ 501 was due to leave Sydney airport at 6 a.m. but ended up leaving at 9.24 a.m. and arriving in Melbourne later.

Passenger Sharee said the dispute started after a man said he wanted to change his seat. However, one passenger yelled out, “There is a war on Palestine, this is ridiculous, I want to get off the plane.”

“For the rest of us, because they were talking about the war in Palestine, it made us all very nervous. Obviously it’s unusual for the crew to allow passengers to leave the plane once you’ve all boarded,” she told 3AW radio.

“And then other passengers started expressing their concerns saying well, if they are leaving, are you checking the toilets, are you checking the baggage, we don’t know what’s happening now.”

Jetstar requested the AFP to board the flight due to the unusual behavior of the passenger, but said the customer was just experiencing anxiety due to being a nervous flyer.

“Our crew noticed a passenger behaving unusually and requested AFP attendance. The aircraft returned to the gate and the passenger chose not to fly. We now understand the customer was a nervous flyer and was experiencing anxiety,” a Jetstar spokesperson told media.

“We also understand the situation made some other people onboard feel uneasy and they also decided not to continue with their journey. As a result of this, we had to delay the flight and apologise to customers for the inconvenience.”

The Epoch Times has contacted Jetstar for comment.

The Latest on the Israel-Hamas conflict

The Israel Defence Forces said fighter jets have struck Hamas military headquarters and neutralised a Hamas military operative overnight.

Israeli fighter jets also struck a bank used to fund Hamas terrorist activity in Gaza.

The conflict continues after Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing at least 1,400 Israelis and kidnapping 155 people, including babies.

US President Joe Biden is due to visit Israel on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday the Australian government revealed 45 locals were stranded in Gaza.

“We have about 45 Australians who have made contact with us in Gaza. Their situation is obviously extremely difficult,” Mr. Marles said.

“We are looking at ways in which and working very hard to find ways in which we can get those people to safety, and that obviously includes working with other countries around the establishment of a humanitarian corridor out of Gaza.”

Israel’s ambassador to Australia addressed the Liberal-National Coalition party room on Tuesday.

In a social media post, shadow foreign affairs minister, Simon Birmingham, welcomed Amir Maimon.

“Speaking to the Liberal-National party room meeting he outlined the atrocities carried out by Hamas terrorists, their impact upon Israelis & on the Jewish community here in Australia,” Senator Birmingham wrote on Facebook.

“We will continue to stand with our Israeli and Jewish friends—together—resolute, in defence of Israel.”