Air France has issued an internal memo instructing staff to exclude crew members from 31 nationalities that do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel from flights to Tel Aviv. The move, reported by French newspaper Mediapart, affects crew members with dual nationality, even if they hold French citizenship. The nationalities impacted include Algerian, Tunisian, Iranian, and Pakistani.
The internal memo, obtained by Mediapart, cites instructions from Israel's Transportation Ministry warning Air France of potential penalties if it fails to comply with the new restrictions. The memo advises staff to be cautious when dealing with crew members from the listed nationalities. The Israeli government has taken steps to tighten security measures for foreign airline crews following an incident on a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv in late September.
The incident involved an attempt to assault the pilot of the FlyDubai flight, prompting Israeli authorities to re-examine security protocols for foreign airline crews. The new restrictions have raised questions about their compatibility with anti-discrimination laws, particularly in cases where crew members hold French citizenship alongside another nationality.
The impact of the new policy on Air France employees remains unclear, with Mediapart unable to determine the number of staff members affected or how the policy will be applied on a case-by-case basis. The French airline has not publicly commented on the memo, and it is uncertain how French authorities and labor unions will respond to the Israeli directives.
The restrictions apply only to crew members on flights to Israel and do not imply a general ban on entry to Israel for citizens of the listed countries. The policy change has sparked debate about balancing security concerns with equal treatment of employees.
The list of 31 nationalities subject to the restrictions includes countries with no formal diplomatic ties to Israel. Crew members with dual nationality may be affected even if they hold French citizenship. The situation highlights the complexities of managing international relations, security concerns, and employee rights.
The Israeli government has not commented on the specifics of the new policy, but it is clear that the country is taking steps to enhance security measures for flights to and from its territory. The incident on the FlyDubai flight and subsequent policy changes demonstrate the evolving nature of airline security protocols in response to emerging threats.
Key points
- Air France to exclude crew members from 31 nationalities from flights to Tel Aviv.
- The move follows an incident on a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv in late September.
- The restrictions raise questions about compatibility with anti-discrimination laws.
