{"id":339295,"date":"2025-08-12T20:02:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T20:02:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/339295\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T20:02:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T20:02:19","slug":"france-temporarily-halts-visas-for-el-al-security-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/339295\/","title":{"rendered":"France temporarily halts visas for El Al security staff"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019 main airport.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor many months, members of France\u2019s 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\u2019s flights,\u201d the diplomatic source said in a statement to The Times of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>The visa suspension, which is currently under discussion between the two countries, prevents the staff members of Israel\u2019s 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\u2019s statement did not connect the visa issue with disagreements over the Gaza war.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Israel\u2019s Foreign Ministry said the issue was under investigation and \u201cis being handled by the embassy in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tGet The Times of Israel&#8217;s Daily Edition<br \/>\n\t\t\tby email and never miss our top stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">terms<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The French source also said the issue is under discussion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTalks 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,\u201d the source said. \u201cDiscussions are ongoing in an effort to quickly reach a solution that meets the needs of both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3618893\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP24201419642231-e1755012000110-640x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A woman walks past the departure board at Charles de Gaulle airport on Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo\/Thomas Padilla)<\/p>\n<p>El Al is known for employing stricter security measures than most other airlines, with extensive \u2014 and sometimes invasive \u2014 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.<\/p>\n<p>US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded to the report with surprise. \u201cSay it ain\u2019t so, France. Say it ain\u2019t so! What happened to France?\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovMikeHuckabee\/status\/1955120930243391837\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">posted<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n<p>The decision comes amid rising tensions between Paris and Jerusalem over Israel\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>\t<a href=\"https:\/\/static-cdn.toi-media.com\/www\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Gxu_bP_WMAAzoBv-e1754571430430.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3615167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Gxu_bP_WMAAzoBv-e1754571430430-640x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>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)<\/p>\n<p>Last week, El Al\u2019s Paris offices were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/el-al-offices-in-paris-defaced-with-genocide-airline-graffiti\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">smeared<\/a> with red paint and anti-Israel graffiti.<\/p>\n<p>Pictures posted online showed the doors of the offices covered in paint and the words \u201cFree Palestine\u201d daubed in several languages, along with graffiti reading \u201cEl Al genocide airline.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Israeli Embassy in France blamed the attack on \u201ca climate of violent and unrestrained incitement by certain French elected officials,\u201d without naming individuals.<\/p>\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3577049\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25165557939637-1-640x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A row of aircrafts belonging to Israeli airlines El Al sit parked along the apron of Cyprus\u2019 main airport in Larnaca, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo\/Petros Karadjias)<\/p>\n<p>And on Monday, an air traffic controller at Charles de Gaulle went on the radio and broadcast \u201cfree Palestine\u201d to the pilots of an El Al flight moments after takeoff, the airline said.<\/p>\n<p>El Al said it was in contact with Israel\u2019s Civil Aviation Authority over the \u201cunprofessional and inappropriate\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEl Al will continue to fly around the world with the Israeli flag proudly on the aircraft\u2019s tail, while ensuring professionalism and the safety and security of passengers and crew,\u201d the airline said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tIs The Times of Israel important to you?\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>If so, we have a request.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Every day, even during war, our journalists keep you abreast of the most important developments that merit your attention. 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