ACLJ Calls on Delta to End Ties With Saudi Arabia: FAA Oversight & Congressional Investigation Needed

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, announced today it is demanding that Delta Air Lines end its partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines, owned by the Saudi government, which embraces discriminatory policies targeting Jews, Christians and women.

The ACLJ, which has mobilized both legal and legislative teams, is also calling for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to get involved, and for Congress to probe this troubling deal.

"For Delta to form a business relationship with a country that has a disturbing record of human rights violations is not only problematic, but warrants further scrutiny from the federal government and Congress," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  "Delta says it does not discriminate in its business practices, but then says it cannot control what other nations do.  Delta can't have it both ways.  If you choose to do business with a government that discriminates on the basis of religion, ethnicity, and gender - you simply cannot brush it aside.  We're calling for FAA oversight of this deal and a Congressional investigation.  Delta can do the right thing - and cancel this business relationship, and it should."

Delta announced the partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines in January and issued this release:  "We are honored that Saudi Arabian has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners, while bringing our alliance greater access to destinations across the Middle East."

Under this new alliance, there is real concern that American Jews will be prohibited from flying into the country.  Even non-Jews with an Israeli stamp in their passport could be targeted.  And, of course, U.S. citizens who are Christian are in the danger zone as well, often facing blatant discrimination in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia where Sharia Law is embraced.

Late last week, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) sent a letter to the FAA requesting a probe into this matter "to determine whether Delta Air Lines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion."

"We believe this is an issue of the utmost importance and we're confident members of Congress will want to examine this transaction and relationship very closely, as they should," said Sekulow.

In addition to its demand that Delta cut ties with the Saudis, the ACLJ is launching a national petition campaign - urging thousands of Americans to express their concerns about the Delta/Saudi alliance.  The petition is posted online at www.aclj.org.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.

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SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice