Airline faces accusation after Jewish teenagers depart aircraft
In an incident that has sparked controversy and outrage, a group of around 50 French Jewish teenagers and their chaperones were forcibly removed from a Vueling Airlines flight to Paris on July 23, 2025. The incident occurred at Valencia Airport, where the group was returning from a Jewish summer camp in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Spain.
The incident began when the teenagers sang traditional Hebrew songs while boarding the plane. The singing, according to reports, caused a hostile reaction from the flight crew, who initially asked the youths to stop. Despite the group complying, airline staff called the police, leading to the teenagers being ordered to disembark.
The situation escalated when the camp director refused to hand over the children’s cell phones when requested by staff. As a result, the young vacation camp director was handcuffed by the Spanish Civil Guard at Valencia Airport.
The incident has been widely criticized as antisemitic discrimination. Parents and organizations have labelled the incident as such, with officials and civil rights groups condemning the airline's actions as excessive and rooted in antisemitism. Israeli government officials have also publicly denounced the removal as a severe antisemitic incident.
Jimenez Cordoba, director of flight operations for the Spanish airline, stated that the teenagers did not follow the crew's or pilots' instructions. He further explained that the teenagers were handling safety equipment, putting other passengers at risk. An independent passenger from the camp confirmed this version of events.
However, some camp counselors have stated that there was no apparent reason for the incident, with one young participant describing the atmosphere as calm and peaceful.
Despite the airline's denial of the counselors' version of events, the primary reason for the detention and removal appears to be the group’s singing Hebrew songs, which provoked the crew and led to police involvement. The incident involved children aged 10 to 15, members of the Kineret Club summer camp.
The flight in question was from Valencia to Paris and had 44 Jewish teenagers and 7 chaperones on board. One child on the flight interrupted the safety instructions multiple times before the police were called.
The incident has left a lasting impact, with the teenagers and their families awaiting alternative travel arrangements for hours at the airport. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for sensitivity and understanding in dealing with diverse cultural practices.
- The controversy surrounding the forcible removal of a group of French Jewish teenagers from a Vueling Airlines flight to Paris on July 23, 2025, has led to discussions in the realm of general-news, with the French lifestyle and travel industry expected to weigh in on the incident's implications.
- In the aftermath of the antisemitic discrimination incident at Valencia Airport, where around 50 French Jewish teenagers were removed from a Vueling Airlines flight, there has been increased scrutiny on crime-and-justice matters, as protests and calls for accountability continue.
