New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) met with Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr in Washington, D.C. today, following the recent incident in which 127 Jewish passengers were barred from boarding a connecting flight simply because of their religion.
Smith, who co-chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism and represents New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Lakewood, called for the meeting in a public letter earlier this week after learning that several of his constituents were on board the flight.
In the strongly-written letter, Smith expressed his “utter disgust” for the way the Jewish passengers were treated and demanded an explanation for what occurred.
Also in attendance this morning were Dr. Kay Lindemann, Lufthansa’s Senior Vice President for Global Government and Industry Affairs, Frank Naeve, Head of Americas Region for Lufthansa, Ms. Natalie Hartman, a Washington adviser, Chaplain Yaakov Wenger of The National Chaplains Association, which facilitated the meeting, and Mordechai Yowmark, a passenger prevented from flying.
Smith is also scheduled to meet with President Biden’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism later Thursday, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt – a position created by legislation sponsored by Rep. Smith.
You’re a man of your word, Congressman Smith. Kudos to you.
our community sincerely appreciates you standing up for us. G-d will definitely reward your kindness.
Nu? So bottom line what happened?
Thank you Congressman Smith and Rabbis Wenger and Bursztyn.
NIce pic, great meeting.
I’m just not sure what they want the CEO tp say.
OK, I’m sorry –
Yeah, we messed up
He needs to commit to sensitivity training for every employee, and they should also train the employees of the airport.
Don’t fly Lufthansa. Period.
Thank you, Mr. Smith. You are a true friend to our community and I am proud to vote for you and be represented by you.