El Al security staff in Paris lose legal status after visa freeze

French authorities have quietly ceased renewing work visas for El Al flight security personnel in Paris, prompting increasing diplomatic friction with Israel. These employees—classified as ITAN workers and supported by the Israeli embassy—have been dependent on these visas to live and work legally in France.

With renewals suspended for approximately six months, many now reside in the country without proper documentation, while others rely on temporary diplomatic visas or have had to return to Israel, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

“In the past six months, none of the employees whose work visas expired have received renewals,” an El Al security officer in Paris said. “This has never happened before, and no one has been granted new approvals. It seems they are trying to end the employment of El Al security personnel in France”.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the matter is being handled by its embassy in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry.

The French embassy in Israel has declined to comment, while El Al redirected inquiries to Israeli authorities and internal security agencies, which also declined to respond.

Adding to the tense backdrop, El Al’s Paris offices were recently defaced by pro-Palestinian protesters who splattered red paint and left graffiti reading “El Al genocide airline”

The escalation of tensions comes alongside sharp criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron, who has denounced Israeli leadership’s strategies in Gaza as “a step toward an endless war,” accused the military plans of putting “the Israeli hostages and the people of Gaza... at risk,” and urged an immediate ceasefire.

French authorities' move to freeze visa renewals for ITAN personnel underscores an erosion of diplomatic norms and highlights the growing geopolitical rift between Paris and Jerusalem.

By Vafa Guliyeva