Uber has launched an urgent investigation following a disturbing report from the United Kingdom, where a driver allegedly forced a Jewish camper and a staff member out of his vehicle in the middle of the night after questioning them about Israel and Judaism.
Details of the Late-Night Incident
The event occurred in the early hours of December 26, 2023, around 3:10 a.m., on Ashbourne Road in Cheadle, a village south of Manchester. Staffordshire Police confirmed they were notified of the incident by a third party. According to authorities, the driver "became aggressive with a passenger, a man, and asked the man and a child to get out of a taxi following a conversation about religion." Police stated that enquiries are ongoing.
Victims Identified as Youth Camp Members
The Jewish Chronicle identified the passengers as a camper and a staff member from Bnei Akiva, an Orthodox Jewish youth organization. In a letter to parents, the camp explained that the driver initiated a discussion about Judaism and Israel. "After some time," the letter stated, the driver demanded the passengers "leave the vehicle and left them on the side of the road." Fortunately, with support from other Bnei Akiva staff, they were able to return safely shortly afterwards.
The camp, which ran from December 21 to December 28, said it is working closely with its security provider, the Community Security Trust (CST), and police to review the event and implement additional safety measures. "The safety and wellbeing of our participants remains our highest priority," the camp's letter emphasized.
Uber's Response and a Pattern of Concerns
In a statement to The Jewish Chronicle, Uber called the described incident "unacceptable" and confirmed its specialist team is "urgently investigating this matter." This event adds to a series of concerning incidents involving Uber and members of the Jewish community, including several involving Canadians.
Recent cases highlighted by the National Post include:
- A Canadian-Slovakian model reported being ejected from an Uber in Toronto in November because the driver said she did "not drive Jewish people."
- A Jewish couple in Canada said a driver refused to take them home from the airport in February after hearing them speak Hebrew.
- A Canadian-Israeli couple travelling in the Netherlands in August claimed an Uber driver refused service after learning they were from Israel.
In December, Uber told the National Post it was dedicated to working with the Canadian Jewish community and was in "listening mode." A CST spokesperson condemned the U.K. incident as "disgraceful," noting it involved "a child who had been taken to hospital [and] was thrown out of an Uber... in circumstances that strongly suggest antisemitism was the reason."
Bnei Akiva did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the National Post regarding the latest investigation.
