Richard Branson successfully flew into space on a supersonic plane developed by Branson’s company Virgin Galactic. The flight, with Branson, two pilots, and three other Virgin employees, flew more than 50 miles above the earth’s surace with passengers momentarily experiencing weightlessness before returning to earth and landing safely in New Mexico. Branson has expressed support for Israel in the past, saying that Israel is a country of “great entrepreneurs doing incredible things.” He supports peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and opposes BDS efforts. When Branson visited Israel in 2019, he kissed the ground upon disembarking from his flight. Virgin Atlantic, Branson’s commercial airline company, began flying from London to Tel Aviv in 2019. What steps did Branson take to promote the success of the Virgin flights to and from Israel?

Richard Branson by Dan G is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A. Branson met with representatives of the major Chassidic sects in Jerusalem, including the Lubavitchers, the Gerrers, and the Satmars, and agreed to hire kosher caterers who were under their supervision for the kosher food service on his flights. He also promised that Chassidic men would not be made to change seats to avoid sitting next to a woman.

B. Branson hired a law firm in Israel that had ties to Yair Netanyahu, son of then Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. There is speculation that because of this connection, Branson was able to get landing rights for Virgin Atlantic without going through the typical long, complicated, and expensive application process.

C. Virgin Atlantic will not fly to and from Israel on Shabbat, Friday night and Saturday. By following the policy of El Al rather than other carriers such as Delta and British Airways, Branson insured that Orthodox and Chassidic travelers would consider his airline for their travel plans.

D. Branson set up a stall in the Jaffa Market, where shoppers are accustomed to bargaining for their purchases. He personally negotiated with customers, in one case agreeing to a purchaser’s offer of $45 instead of $450 for his ticket.

E. According to Exodus Chapter 22, verses 15-16, if a man seduces a single (virgin) woman, he must marry her or pay her father compensation. Based on this, Branson established the Virgin Virgin Discount Program, offering a cost reduction to fathers of single (virgin) women on flights to and from Israel.

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