A serious complaint has been lodged with El Al regarding the
serving of non-kosher food to passengers awaiting a recent
flight from Frankfurt. The complaint noted that the
passengers were not informed that the food was not kosher. As
a result, innocent Jews unwittingly ate non-kosher food.
The complaint was sent by a resident of Tifrach in the Negev,
A. T. He stated that on April 17, 2000 (12 Nisan), he flew
from Frankfurt to Israel on El Al. "Since the plane was late,
the passengers waited at the El Al terminal (gate 21) where
they were served food. The passengers were not told whether
or not the food was kosher."
According to the complaint, the passengers received food
which included both yellow cheese and salami, among other
items. He said that the flight director later told him that
the food had not been kosher. "To my dismay," A. T. said,
"many Jews stumbled by eating non-kosher food, due to the
fact that they were absolutely certain that El Al would never
serve its passengers non-kosher food."
He also noted that the flight director claimed that the
passengers had been notified that the food wasn't kosher. He
added: "Since I was one of the first passengers to enter the
waiting room, and I didn't hear any such announcement, I
regard El Al's serving unwitting Jews non-kosher food as a
very serious offense."
El Al's spokesman replied that the director of the company
branch in Frankfurt confirms that non-kosher food was indeed
served to the passengers. However, he added that when
passengers were notified that they could approach the nearby
cafeteria and receive food and beverages, they were informed
that the food wasn't kosher. "Apparently not all passengers
heard this announcement. An investigation of the affair shows
that the cafeteria has no sign indicating that the food is
non-kosher."
The El Al spokesman also said that the director of its
Frankfurt office announced that he would now permanently post
such a sign in the cafeteria to prevent further
misunderstandings. In response to our reporter's question,
the spokesman replied that El Al is unable to provide kosher
food in such cases. Passengers awaiting takeoff of a delayed
flight are sent to eat in the airport restaurant at El Al's
expense, even though the cafeteria is not kosher.
