Air traffic controller transmitted 'Free Palestine' message to Israeli aircraft

Anti-Semitism has been normalised in middle-class Britain, a Government-backed report has found |

GB NEWS

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 15/08/2025

- 13:06

Former Attorney-General Sir Michael Ellis described the rise of antisemitism as 'appalling' and 'disgraceful' to GB News

A French air traffic controller has been removed from duty after broadcasting "Free Palestine" to pilots of an Israeli aircraft.

The incident, which is the latest in a number of anti-semitism acts on European flights, involved personnel communicating the political message to crew members of an El Al flight shortly after the plane had left the ground.


The flight was departing from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on Monday.

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Israel's national carrier reported the breach of protocol to aviation authorities, describing the controller's actions as both unprofessional and inappropriate during a critical phase of flight operations.

Philippe Tabarot, France's transport minister, has verified that the aviation official responsible for the transmission has been suspended from their position.

He wrote on X: "Analysis of the recordings proves that the facts are true. The perpetrator has been identified as an air traffic 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.”

El Al emphasised that any departure from established communication protocols whilst aircraft are taking off poses serious safety risks and could result in catastrophic consequences.

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A French air traffic controller has been removed from duty after broadcasting 'Free Palestine' to pilots of an Israeli aircraft in the latest incident of anti-semitism on European flights (stock image)

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The Israeli flag carrier said it was coordinating with Israel's Civil Aviation Authority about the "unprofessional and inappropriate" radio communication.

The airline stressed that maintaining standard procedures during critical flight phases remains essential for passenger safety and operational integrity.

The aviation incident follows several recent episodes affecting Israeli and Jewish travellers across European carriers.

El Al's Paris premises were targeted by vandals last week who defaced the building with crimson paint and multilingual graffiti declaring "genocide airline" and "Free Palestine".

Philippe Tabarot, France's transport minister, has verified that the aviation official responsible for the transmission has been suspended from their position

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Mr Tabarot denounced these "acts of vandalism", and said that "acts of hatred and anti-Semitism have no place" in France.

Jewish travellers on Iberia discovered political slogans written on their kosher meal packaging last week.

Additionally, Vueling removed approximately 50 Jewish children and their camp director from a Paris-bound flight last month after Hebrew singing allegedly "compromised passenger safety".

Former Attorney-General Sir Michael Ellis described the rise of antisemitism as "appalling" and "disgraceful" to GB News.

\u200bEl Al's Paris

El Al's Paris premises were targeted by vandals last week who defaced the building with crimson paint and multilingual graffiti

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He told the People's Channel: "The appalling rise in antisemitism is disgraceful in any context. But there are also safety concerns for everyone with repeated allegations that antisemitism is rearing its head in aviation."

"Throwing dozens of Jewish children off an aircraft, kosher food boxes interfered with, and now the French government having to suspend an air traffic controller for an apparent outburst over the airwaves."

The Former Attorney-General have urged the US Federal Aviation Administration to take action immediately to investigate this shocking situation.

He added: "We should all be concerned about a domino effect here."

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