A dispute has erupted between France and Spain following the removal of a group of Jewish teenagers from a flight in Valencia last week. The incident, which involved Spanish police handcuffing one of the group’s counselors, has drawn sharp criticism from French officials, who condemned what they called excessive force and inflammatory remarks by a Spanish minister.
The group, consisting of 44 minors and eight adults, was traveling home from a summer camp when they were ordered off a Vueling flight to Paris. The airline cited “disruptive behavior” as the reason for their removal, alleging that some teens tampered with safety equipment and ignored crew instructions. However, conflicting witness accounts have fueled accusations of discrimination, with some suggesting the children were targeted due to their Jewish identity.
Videos circulating online showed officers restraining the counselor, who was later granted medical leave due to injuries sustained during the incident. French ministers Aurore Bergé and Benjamin Haddad denounced both the police response and comments by Spain’s transport minister, Óscar Puente, who initially referred to the teens as “Israeli brats” before deleting the post.
While Vueling maintains that its crew acted appropriately, passengers offered mixed testimonies. Some claimed the group was calm, while others supported the airline’s version, stating that a few teens had pulled out life jackets and pressed call buttons. A lawyer for the summer camp group argued that the children’s visible religious attire—such as kippahs—may have played a role.
The controversy has escalated to diplomatic levels, with France’s foreign minister expressing “deep concern” to Vueling’s CEO. Meanwhile, Spanish authorities and the airline deny any religious bias, insisting the decision was based solely on safety violations.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited debates over antisemitism and the treatment of minority groups in air travel. French officials have vowed to oppose any normalization of discrimination, emphasizing that the teens’ nationality or faith should not justify their removal.
The fallout underscores broader tensions, with France pressing Spain for accountability while travelers and advocacy groups demand clarity on airline protocols and passenger rights.
