Forty-seven Jewish youngsters forcibly ejected from a Vueling aircraft
On July 23, 2025, a group of 50 French Jewish children and teenagers, accompanied by their 21-year-old youth leader, were forcibly removed from a Vueling Airlines flight departing Valencia, Spain, bound for Paris. The incident has sparked controversy and international concern, with allegations of anti-Semitic discrimination and disruptions of flight safety.
According to Vueling and Spanish authorities, the removal was due to disruptive behavior by the minors, who reportedly tampered repeatedly with emergency equipment such as life jackets and oxygen masks, and ignored crew instructions. However, witnesses and videos circulating online have alleged that the group was singing in Hebrew on the flight and subjected to anti-Israel remarks by airline staff. One video shows the youth leader being forcibly handcuffed and pushed to the ground by Spanish police, which has drawn strong condemnation.
Israeli officials, including Minister Amichai Chikli, have called the incident a severe act of anti-Semitic discrimination. The Federation for Jewish Communities of Spain and parents of the children have expressed serious concerns and demanded evidence from the airline. The Kineret Club, the summer camp organizers, have announced plans to file a complaint against Vueling for physical and psychological violence and religious discrimination.
French authorities, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, have requested detailed explanations from Vueling and the Spanish ambassador. Vueling’s CEO has assured that a thorough internal investigation is ongoing, and promised to share findings with French and Spanish authorities.
The incident comes amidst controversy surrounding France's President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize Palestine as a state. Israel's Minister for Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, deemed this incident as one of the most serious anti-Semitic incidents in recent times.
The affected teens were stuck at the airport for hours afterwards, with the incident causing significant distress and disruption to their summer camp plans. The ongoing investigation and potential legal action have raised questions about airline safety protocols and the treatment of religious minorities in public spaces.
Current status: - An internal investigation by Vueling is underway. - French and Spanish authorities are seeking clarity on whether religious discrimination occurred. - Complaints of alleged anti-Semitic conduct are being formally considered, with potential legal action initiated by the summer camp organizers. - The incident remains a subject of international concern over anti-Semitism and airline safety protocols.
- The Kineret Club, the summer camp organizers, are planning to file a complaint against Vueling Airlines for alleged physical and psychological violence, religious discrimination, and a breach of their members' lifestyle, as they were forcibly removed from a travel bound for Paris.
- The ongoing investigation and potential legal action have stirred discussions about the role of travel companies in preserving the safety and respectful treatment of all passengers, particularly religious minorities, in public spaces, sparking a broader discourse about travel etiquette and community values.
