15 November 2023 , 16:40
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About 300 Jewish people planning to march in the pro-Israel rally in Washington, DC, Tuesday were left stranded at Dulles International Airport after a string of bus drivers called out sick in what the Jewish Federation of Detroit called a "malicious walk-off."
Scores of individuals from Detroit's Jewish community, including the JFD and Jewish Community Relations Council flew to the nation's capital Tuesday to march in support of Israel in its military campaign against the Hamas militant group in Gaza. However, their plans were quashed after some bus drivers failed to appear as scheduled.
The ordeal left hundreds of travelers deserted in West Virginia for 11 hours, which delayed and in some cases prevented their participation in the rally.
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Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit officials declined to identify the name of the bus company (nypost)David Kurzmann, senior director of community affairs at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, said the trip was aimed at shifting the national focus to freeing the at least 240 hostages Hamas abducted from Israel during its October 7 attack.
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"We have learned from the bus company that this was caused by a deliberate and malicious walk-off of drivers. Fortunately, many were able to travel to the march, and we are grateful to the drivers of those buses that arrived," David said in a statement. David implored the travelers to practice stoicism, saying the slight setback shouldn't change their resolve, according to Detroit News.
The company called the night before, saying it was having trouble with the mass call outs (nypost)"While we are deeply dismayed by this disgraceful action, our resolve to proudly stand in solidarity with the people of Israel, to condemn antisemitism and to demand the return of every hostage held by Hamas has never been greater." Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit officials declined to identify the name of the bus company or other companies who it asserted refused them service.
David said the company Monday night said they were experiencing trouble after some drivers called out sick. "They informed us that they had drivers, who, when they were aware of the assignment today, called in, more than a few, a number of drivers called in sick," he said. The director also acknowledged the company's efforts in "fulfilling the obligations for our group" and "demonstrating a desire and full intention" to honor their aggreement.
David declined to state the exact number of buses the group ordered, but said that about a third of the 900 travelers were affected. 19-year-old Ella Cohen of Birmingham said she was lucky enough to attend the march. "Some of the other groups were duped by the bus companies," Ella said.
Ella witnessed a "hectic" situation, during which her fellow travelers squeezed themselves onto the few available busses. The group took any available space from each other's laps to the aisle of the vehicle. "I know that some bus companies were able to step in last minute and help us out, and some people also ordered Ubers to the march," she added.