France has stopped renewing work visas for El Al security staff members, Ynet reported Tuesday, citing sources within the airline. The decision seems to be related to rising tensions between Paris and Jerusalem over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The move prevents staff members from working legally in the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that the country intends to recognize a Palestinian State in September at the UN General Assembly, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel and the US.
Until now, El Al security staff have been classified as ITAN workers (Israeli citizens supporting diplomatic missions) and were granted 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.
Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the terms
“The matter is being handled by the embassy in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry,” the spokesperson said.
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 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.
Is The Times of Israel important to you?
If so, we have a request.
Every day, even during war, our journalists keep you abreast of the most important developments that merit your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fast, fair and free coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
We care about Israel – and we know you do too. So today, we have an ask: show your appreciation for our work by joining The Times of Israel Community, an exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and financially support our work.
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You appreciate our journalism
You clearly find our careful reporting valuable, in a time when facts are often distorted and news coverage often lacks context.
Your support is essential to continue our work. We want to continue delivering the professional journalism you value, even as the demands on our newsroom have grown dramatically since October 7.
So today, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you’ll become our partners while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this