A French government source confirmed Tuesday that the country has stopped renewing work visas for El Al security staff members, citing difficulties faced by French diplomatic staff in security screenings at Paris’ main airport.
“For many months, members of France’s diplomatic corps in Israel and in Jerusalem have been subjected to systematic screening by El Al security personnel at Charles de Gaulle Airport prior to the airline’s flights,” the diplomatic source said in a statement to The Times of Israel.
The visa suspension, which is currently under discussion between the two countries, prevents the staff members of Israel’s flagship airline from working legally in the country. It is the latest of several challenges El Al staff have faced in France amid increasing French opposition to Israeli policy, though the source’s statement did not connect the visa issue with disagreements over the Gaza war.
Until now, El Al security staff have been classified as ITAN workers (Israeli citizens supporting diplomatic missions) and granted French visas via the Israeli embassy. However, no employees have had their visas renewed in the last six months, a source told Ynet.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the issue was under investigation and “is being handled by the embassy in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry.”
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The French source also said the issue is under discussion.
“Talks have been opened with the Israeli embassy in France to resolve these difficulties; in the meantime, several administrative measures related to this arrangement have been temporarily suspended,” the source said. “Discussions are ongoing in an effort to quickly reach a solution that meets the needs of both sides.”
A woman walks past the departure board at Charles de Gaulle airport on Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
El Al is known for employing stricter security measures than most other airlines, with extensive — and sometimes invasive — passenger checks that can include questioning by security staff and baggage checks. The airline also has undercover air marshals on every flight, which it considers essential due to heightened security risks.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded to the report with surprise. “Say it ain’t so, France. Say it ain’t so! What happened to France?” he posted on X.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between Paris and Jerusalem over Israel’s military operations in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that France intends to recognize a Palestinian State in September at the UN General Assembly, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel.
The Paris offices of El Al vandalized with red paint and pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel graffiti, August 7, 2025. (X, used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)
Last week, El Al’s Paris offices were smeared with red paint and anti-Israel graffiti.
Pictures posted online showed the doors of the offices covered in paint and the words “Free Palestine” daubed in several languages, along with graffiti reading “El Al genocide airline.”
The Israeli Embassy in France blamed the attack on “a climate of violent and unrestrained incitement by certain French elected officials,” without naming individuals.
A row of aircrafts belonging to Israeli airlines El Al sit parked along the apron of Cyprus’ main airport in Larnaca, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
And on Monday, an air traffic controller at Charles de Gaulle went on the radio and broadcast “free Palestine” to the pilots of an El Al flight moments after takeoff, the airline said.
El Al said it was in contact with Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority over the “unprofessional and inappropriate” incident, and said that any deviation from standard procedures could lead to disaster during takeoff. El Al said the Civil Aviation Authority is in contact with its French counterparts.
“El Al will continue to fly around the world with the Israeli flag proudly on the aircraft’s tail, while ensuring professionalism and the safety and security of passengers and crew,” the airline said in a statement.
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