Delta removes tweet describing Palestine flag badge as 'alarming'.

 The airline replied to a pro-Israel complainant saying they would also find it frightening and has since banned the flag badges.

A Delta Air Lines customer was unhappy with an accessory worn by two flight attendants, voiced their displeasure online, and received a sympathetic response from Delta. Now, the airline is apologizing for its initial reaction. According to the Hill, the issue began when someone posted a photo of the two Delta crew members wearing pins with the Palestinian flag. The poster complained, "Since 2001 we take our shoes off in every airport because of a terrorist attack on US soil. Now imagine getting on a @Delta flight and seeing workers with Hamas badges in the air. What do you do?" The Washington Post reports that the flight attendants were photographed on two separate flights.

 Delta Air Lines quickly responded to the complaint with a tweet that has since been deleted: "I hear you as I'd be terrified as well, personally." The tweet continued, "Our employees reflect our culture and we do not take it lightly when our policy is not being followed." This response sparked immediate backlash. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement saying, "Whether this racist post on Delta's X account was approved or unauthorized, Delta must apologize and take steps to educate its employees about this type of dangerous anti-Palestinian racism." The Hill and The Washington Post highlighted the differences between the Palestinian flag, which has horizontal black, white, and green stripes with a red triangle, and the Hamas flag, which has a green background with Islamic text.

Edward Ahmed Mitchell from CAIR told The Washington Post that the original tweet could lead people to mistakenly associate the Palestinian flag with a hate group. Delta has since apologized for the "hurtful post" made by its staffer, stating, "We removed a reply that was not in line with our values. We strive for an environment of inclusivity & respect for all, in our communities & our planes." The airline also mentioned that the staffer responsible for the post "no longer supports Delta's social channels." It remains unclear if any other disciplinary actions were taken. Additionally, Delta announced that starting Monday, only American flag pins will be allowed on flight attendants' uniforms; previously, they could wear flags from other countries. "We are taking this step to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for all," the airline said in a statement.