Why is France denying work visas to El Al security staff?

Israeli airline El Al faces a security crisis as France refuses visa extensions for its personnel.

By World Israel News Staff

France is refusing to extend work visas for El Al staff responsible for the Israeli airline’s security operations, effectively forcing them to either leave the country or continue working illegally.

The move appears to be a retaliatory measure against Israel over its ongoing war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

Previously, El Al security staff were granted visas via the Israeli embassy, and were classified as ITAN workers (Israeli citizens supporting diplomatic missions.)

But while not publicly announced, it appears that Paris has adopted a major change in its policy for granting and extending work visas for El Al staff.

“In the past six months, none of the employees whose work visas expired have received renewals,” an El Al security guard based in Paris told Hebrew-language outlet Ynet.

“This has never happened before, and no one has been granted new approvals. It seems they are trying to end the employment of El Al security personnel in France,” the guard added.

The official also criticized El Al management for failing to take initiative in resolving the issue, instead directing affected employees to seek solutions from Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry told Ynet it is “handling the matter” with the French Foreign Ministry. The Shin Bet declined to comment, and El Al referred all inquiries back to the Foreign Ministry.

El Al flights are known for having significantly stricter security measures than most other airlines, including additional passenger and baggage screenings, travelers being questioned by security staff, and armed, undercover air marshals aboard every flight.

The airline’s security teams, stationed at key airports around the world, are considered vital for ensuring the safety of passengers traveling on Israel’s national carrier.

Last week, El Al’s offices in Paris were vandalized with graffiti calling the carrier a “genocide airline.”

Since the October 7th massacres, antisemitism in France has spiked, leading to a surge in interest in moving to Israel among French Jews.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that the country will officially recognize an independent Palestinian state in September, with other countries including the UK, Canada, and Australia vowing to follow suit.