Holocaust survivor sues Israeli airline over gender bias

An 82-year-old Holocaust survivor is suing Israel's national airline over what she says is a seating policy that discriminates against women.

Renee Rabinowitz says an El Al flight attendant asked her to move from her seat next to an ultra-Orthodox man on a flight from Newark to Tel Aviv last year. She says the man requested she move because sitting next to her would violate Jewish law.

The Israel Religious Action Center, an advocacy group representing Rabinowitz, says El Al violated an Israeli ban on gender discrimination in the provision of public services.

Court documents provided by the group say Rabinowitz felt humiliated by having to move because she is a woman. She is seeking USD 17,000 in damages.
 

El Al said Thursday it will respond to the claims in court.