United Airlines reinstates pilot who praised Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

United Airlines reinstated United‑based pilot Ibrahim R. Mossallam to active flight duty in early October 2026 after he was suspended for a social‑media post praising the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.

The airline has not provided an official comment on the decision, prompting questions from passengers and crew about safety and policy compliance.

Mossallam’s October 7 post described the massacre that killed more than 1,200 civilians as “resistance by brave people,” a statement that went viral on X and drew condemnation. One user wrote, "This is abhorrent @united – how can Jewish passengers feel safe with this man flying their plane?" The backlash led United to place him on paid leave while it investigated.

According to White House correspondent Libby Alon, Mossallam returned to the cockpit without a public explanation. Alon said she asked United, "Why is he still flying passengers?" and noted that United has not answered.

Two United pilots deadheading on a recent Mossallam flight reportedly gave up first‑class seats and remained in the cockpit for the entire flight, saying they wanted to ensure he would not attempt a copycat incident.

Mossallam also serves as vice‑president of the board of CAIR‑New York. Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign/transnational terrorist organizations in November 2025, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis formally approved a domestic terrorist designation for CAIR in September 2026. The United Arab Emirates labeled CAIR a terrorist organization in 2014.

Industry sources say United attempted to terminate Mossallam after his suspension, but the pilots’ union successfully defended his employment, blocking the airline’s move.

The situation has reignited debate over how airlines assess fitness‑for‑duty when a crew member’s public statements endorse violence. Aviation regulators require pilots to meet rigorous standards for alcohol use, medical health and psychological stability, yet there is no clear federal precedent for grounding a pilot over extremist speech.

United has not announced any further review, and the airline’s next steps remain unclear as passengers and regulators continue to monitor the situation.