One Small Victory For Man –
One Giant Triumph For Israel

13/9/2013

As Rosh Hashanah approaches we consider how the world teeters on the brink. Arab springs are followed by new uprisings, and the drama in Syria is escalating daily. In the midst of it all, Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East is persistently and consistently delegitimized in government corridors and university campuses. Even as innocent woman and children are targeted daily and chemical weapons are being used, Israel remains the whipping boy for all the problems in the Middle East.

Still, even as we struggle against global tides of disdain, and strive to keep our collective heads held high and our Jewish pride intact, there are sometimes smaller battles being fought which go unnoticed with unsung heroes.

One such example is a moving airline map of Israel that appeared on a British Airways flight going London to Heathrow in July - with “Palestinian Territories” marked across many Israeli cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Amazingly, the many passengers on board either hadn’t noticed the brazen gaffe, or couldn’t be bothered raising the issue. One passenger however, who is known to me, allowed his moral indignation to prevail. He wrote to the Chief Executive of British Airways and after a few suitably worded chasers received the following reply: (He has asked to remain anonymous.)

: British Airways Customer Relations
Sent: 31 August 2013 16:03
To: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Subject: Your Response BA Customer Relations

Dear Mr Xxxxxx
Following on my last email dated the 16 August, I have now, been able to investigate this thoroughly for you.

Firstly please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in coming back to you. As advised in my last email and following on the acknowledgement you received my colleague Cheryl, thank you again for taking the time to bring this to Keiths attention. I can appreciate why you would feel this was necessary. I would like to reassure you that this hasnt been taken lightly and your comments have certainly been taken extremely seriously. Following investigations into this, I am not sure if this is something that you are aware of but, we do have two in-flight entertainment system types currently fitted and in use on our aircraft. On contacting our product management team at senior level, they have confirmed that the map of Israel you referred to as displaying “Palestinian Territories” over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, does indeed appear on one of those systems. I appreciate this is a very sensitive issue and I am sorry for how this would have made you feel when it appeared at the time.

We have now been in touch with the suppliers of the product and its software. We have asked that this be removed as soon as possible. Work has commenced on this and they have confirmed that this will be completed by December 2013. I can only apologise that this isnt an immediate action, but I assure you that we will continue to do all we can to ensure this is completed and actioned as quickly as it can be.

I would like to extend my sincere apologies again, you have my absolute assurance that no upset or distress was ever intended to any of our customers. As a global airline, the widely differing origins of our passengers and even our staff are a matter of pride rather than otherwise. Thank you again for taking the time to raise this as an issue, and I do hope that we can look forward to welcoming you on board one of our flights again soon.

Best regards
Karen Stobbs
British Airways Customer Liaison Executive
Your case reference is: xxxxxxxxx

A small victory perhaps for one man, but as long as we care enough, to remain constantly alert and persistently robust, it will all add up to a giant triumph for Israel. May this coming year bring true and everlasting peace in the Land so that “Jacob may dwell in tranquillity with none to make him afraid.”

Wishing one and all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.  
 

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