New Jersey man claims pilot made antisemitic remarks

A New Jersey man flying with United Airlines has filed a lawsuit claiming he was treated poorly by airline staff after spending too much time in the bathroom. Yisroel Liebb, an Orthodox Jewish traveler, says he was pulled off the toilet by an angry pilot who broke down the door while he was using the restroom. According to the complaint, the incident happened on January 28, during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas. Liebb claims he was experiencing constipation, which caused him to stay in the lavatory longer than expected. When a flight attendant asked his seatmate to check on him, the seatmate discovered Liebb was okay but would be out soon. However, the pilot became upset after Liebb did not exit the bathroom quickly. He allegedly shouted at Liebb to come out and then forcibly opened the door, pulling Liebb out with his pants down. This led to Liebb feeling exposed in front of other passengers and flight crew. Complaints say he also suffered injuries when he hit his head and legs on the door frame. After landing, Liebb and his seatmate were met by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. They were handcuffed and taken to a detention facility, where Liebb claims officers told him he had no rights. He and his seatmate were later released without charges, missing their flight to New York in the process. Liebb claims that the tight handcuffs caused him pain that lasted for days. He says the pilot's behavior included antisemitic remarks, which he believes escalated the situation. He is seeking damages for the incident, along with legal fees. United Airlines has not commented on the lawsuit.