NEW YORK (VINnews) — A United Airlines pilot who described the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel as “resistance by a brave people” is back in the spotlight after a separate cockpit attack on a flight to Israel renewed questions about how airlines vet pilots for extremist views.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email

Ibrahim R. Mossallam was removed from United flight duty with pay in November 2023 after his social media posts about the Hamas attack sparked widespread criticism. United said at the time that it was investigating the matter.

https://vinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/zPdOaho91aiXj4ll.mp4

A federal court order issued in June 2025 later referenced Mossallam’s return to flying, stating that he had been suspended with pay but returned to flying after approximately one month. The court filing was part of an unrelated lawsuit against United and was not a ruling on Mossallam’s conduct.

Mossallam has continued flying for United, according to reports published this week. DansDeals reported Oct. 5 that he continues to fly Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft for the airline and said United did not respond to its request for comment about his continued employment.

The renewed attention comes after a Sept. 30 incident involving Flydubai Flight 1073, a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight in which the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Passengers and crew intervened, and the plane ultimately landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

The Flydubai incident has raised questions about how the co-pilot passed airline security and vetting procedures after reports that he had previously faced concerns about extremist views.

Against that backdrop, Israeli Channel 14 correspondent Libby Alon reported Monday that Mossallam remains an active United pilot. According to reports citing Alon, United has not explained why Mossallam was cleared to return to flying or what its internal review determined.

Mossallam drew criticism after a Facebook post published on Oct. 7, 2023, in which he described the Hamas attack as “resistance by a brave people” and argued that it was not an unprovoked attack.

United confirmed in November 2023 that Mossallam had been removed from service with pay while the airline investigated. The airline has not publicly disclosed the findings of that investigation.

The renewed scrutiny does not establish that Mossallam has threatened passengers, attempted to harm an aircraft or engaged in any violent conduct. The issue involving him centers on his public statements about the Oct. 7 attack and United’s decision to allow him to return to flight duty.

The timing has nevertheless prompted renewed debate over whether airlines should consider pilots’ public extremist or politically violent statements when determining whether they are fit to operate passenger aircraft.

United has not publicly explained the findings of its review of Mossallam or responded to recent questions about his current flight status.