Summary
- France stopped renewing El Al security staff visas in
Paris.
- Decision linked to tensions over France's Palestinian
state plan.
- Some staff remain illegally; others forced to use
diplomatic visas.
- El Al offices in Paris vandalized amid rising tensions.
- French- Israeli talks ongoing to resolve visa and
security issues.
The daily Yedioth Ahronoth claims that the workers, who are listed as ITAN employees or Israeli nationals employed by diplomatic missions, had previously held visas that permitted them to lawfully reside and work in France. They are now regarded as working and dwelling in the nation without proper permissions as a result of the stated ruling.
Many workers have been compelled to apply for
temporary diplomatic visas through Israel's embassy in Paris, according to the
newspaper, and some have returned to Israel after being unable to acquire
renewals.
French officials have not yet confirmed this.
Israel's Foreign Ministry informed The Jerusalem
Post that its embassy in Paris is working with the French Foreign Ministry to
resolve the issue.
As their aircraft taxied to the runway on
Monday, El Al pilots stated that an air traffic controller at Charles de Gaulle
Airport in Paris yelled "Free Palestine" over the intercom.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron's
announcement in September that he intended to recognize a Palestinian state,
tensions between France and Israel increased.
Israel's horrific campaign in Gaza, where it has
killed around 61,600 Palestinians since October 2023, is drawing increasing
condemnation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were both wanted by the International
Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza last
November.
Because of its war on the enclave, Israel is also facing a genocide prosecution at the International Court of Justice.
How did France justify stopping visa renewals for El Al security staff amid tensions?
The visa renewals for El Al security personnel,
classified as ITAN workers supporting diplomatic missions, have not been issued
for the last six months, effectively ending the legal employment of these
workers in France.
This administrative move aligns with France's
outspoken criticism of Israel's Gaza military plans, including French President
Emmanuel Macron's warning of a "disaster" if Israel proceeds with its
occupation plan and his advocacy for a Palestinian state.
The decision came amidst heightened anti-Israel
protests in France, including vandalism of El Al’s Paris offices by
pro-Palestinian activists.