French air traffic controllers have reportedly faced suspension after they expressed “free Palestine” while communicating with a pilot from El Al, an Israeli airline. This incident took place shortly after the flight took off from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport. An El Al spokesperson described the remarks as “unprofessional and inappropriate,” categorizing the situation as one of “maximum severity.”
In response, the airline declared its commitment to operating with the Israeli flag, emphasizing passenger and crew safety. French Transport Minister Philip Tabarot responded quickly, calling for an investigation into the matter. He indicated that if confirmed, the actions would be deemed a violation of air traffic communication rules, which are supposed to prioritize safety and order.
Tabarot stated that recordings of the communication were being reviewed, and that the controllers involved would be suspended pending further notice. He also expressed concern over the evident rise in anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric associated with current events in the Middle East.
This incident comes at a difficult time for El Al, as it faces various challenges in France, including attacks on its offices and the suspension of work visa renewals for security personnel. French government sources noted that this decision was tied to the challenges faced by diplomatic security screenings.
Moreover, on the social media platform X, the US Ambassador reposted comments questioning France’s handling of the situation. In recent events, El Al’s Paris office was vandalized with messages endorsing Palestinian support, which the Israeli ambassador condemned. Following these incidents, the Israeli Transport Secretary criticized the French government and alluded to how recent statements from President Emmanuel Macron seemingly benefited groups like Hamas.
In light of the air traffic incident, Tabarot firmly stated that hate and anti-Semitism have no room in France. In response, the Israeli Transport Secretary expressed gratitude for his clear stance against anti-Semitism, stressing that it is critical for everyone to collectively condemn such behavior, warning that today it might be El Al, but tomorrow any airline could be similarly targeted.
As of now, inquiries directed towards Charles de Gaulle Airport and the French Civil Aviation Authority have gone unanswered.
