An air traffic controller in Paris risked disaster when he shouted, ‘Free Palestine’ at Israeli pilots moments after they took off.
El Al, Israel’s national airline, said the controller made the outburst over the radio to its crew after the flight left Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday.
The airline warned that any break from the normal take-off procedures could have dangerous consequences and confirmed it had reported the ‘unprofessional and inappropriate’ incident to Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority.
French transport minister Phillipe Tabarot said the worker responsible for the incident had now been removed from duty.
Writing on X, he said: Analysis of the recordings proves that the facts are true. The perpetrator has been identified as an air controller.
‘He has been suspended from all duties until further notice. Disciplinary proceedings have been immediately initiated.
‘The penalty must be commensurate with the seriousness of the facts.’
The row comes days after El Al’s Paris offices were targeted with red paint and graffiti. Perpetrators wrote phrases including ‘genocide airline’ and ‘Free Palestine’.
Mr Tabarot condemned the attack, saying ‘acts of hatred and anti-Semitism have no place’ in France.
Meanwhile, the airline said in a statement: ‘We are addressing the matter with the authorities in Israel, who are in contact with authorities in France.
‘El Al will continue to fly around the world with the Israeli flag proudly displayed on its aircraft tails, while maintaining professionalism and ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crews.’
It follows another recent controversy in European aviation involving Jewish passengers.
Last month, a group of around 50 Jewish children returning to France from a summer camp in Spain were removed from a Vueling flight to Paris after at least one sang a Hebrew song.
The airline also removed the camp director, later claiming the group had ‘compromised passenger safety.’
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘This is just the latest of a series of significant incidents in European aviation relating to Jews, and a disturbing reminder that this kind of hate can manifest even in settings where safety and professionalism should be paramount.
‘Aviation relies on trust, discipline, and neutrality, and any abuse of position to single out or intimidate Israeli passengers or crew is unacceptable.
‘We welcome the swift action taken by the French authorities and urge that the disciplinary process be pursued with the utmost seriousness.
‘We hope that the French Government takes a similar interest in other incidents in this sector over which it has jurisdiction. Such conduct has no place in any profession, least of all one that holds lives in its hands.’
In recent times, some European countries have reported a surge in antisemitic attacks and sentiments.
Last month, a Jewish man said he and his six-year-old son were left terrified after they were attacked and called murderers in Italy.
That same month, teachers in the UK warned that antisemitism is now rife in schools.
