A Delta Air Lines passenger says a flight attendant slapped him on a flight, and he is asking for $20 million to compensate for the fear and humiliation he endured. Mohammad Shibli says it happened while he was flying from Atlanta to Fresno, California, with his family on July 29. Delta is investigating the incident and has suspended the flight attendant. At an Atlanta-area press conference on Aug. 26, covered by local media, Shibli said the flight attendant refused to serve him and his wife water, "using a very disrespectful tone." AttorneyAwad Ali, noted that Shibli's wife was wearing a shirt with the word Palestine on it, and the lawyer said that may have been a factor. Southwest tightens refund rules:How plus-size passengers will be impacted Local TV news stations WXIAandWAGAreported that a different crew member gave Shibli water and apologized; however, Shibli said the original flight attendant came up to him later and whispered a "very vulgar word" in his ear. "As she walked away, I stood up and verbally responded with a few bad words," he said at the press conference. "It was at that time, the Delta attendant took a few steps towards me and struck me with an open palm as hard as she could." "It was painful and embarrassing, and as a father, I looked helpless in front of my son. As a husband, I was humiliated, and as a passenger, I feared for the safety for myself and for my family," he added. In a statement to USA TODAY, a Delta spokesperson said: "As the safety and security of our customers and employees comes before all else, Delta launched an immediate internal investigation into this incident. While Delta does not comment on internal investigations or pending litigation, we are taking this situation very seriously." Shibli's lawyer said they're demanding a day's worth of Delta's profits for the incident and "education and sensitivity training on Palestine" for the airline's employees. USA TODAY has reached out for additional comment. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Delta flight attendant accused of slapping passenger on plane
