France halts visa renewals for 'Israeli' airlines security staff

French authorities have stopped renewing work visas for El Al flight security personnel based in Paris, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

According to individuals familiar with the matter, the change began roughly six months ago and affects 'Israeli' security guards employed as ITAN workers, a designation for 'Israeli' citizens providing support to diplomatic missions, via the 'Israeli' embassy in Paris. Until now, these visas have allowed the guards to live and work legally in France.

With renewals suspended, some guards are now staying in the country without valid documents, while others have been granted temporary diplomatic visas through the embassy. A number have returned to 'Israel'.

“In the past six months, none of the employees whose work visas expired have received renewals,” one El Al flight security guard in Paris told Yedioth Ahronoth. “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.”

The guard added that El Al’s management has been “distancing themselves from the employees” and redirecting them to the Foreign Ministry, leaving some unable to secure any legal status.

The visa freeze comes amid a series of incidents that have heightened friction between France and 'Israel'. Last week, pro-Palestinian protesters splashed red paint on El Al’s Paris offices, calling the carrier a “genocide airline.” In June, organizers at the Paris Air Show blocked 'Israel’s' pavilion and covered it with black cloth.

“Peace is possible,” Macron wrote on X. “There must be an immediate ceasefire that includes the release of all hostages and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.” He stressed that any solution must include the disarmament of Hamas, security guarantees for Gaza, and the creation of a Palestinian state fully recognized by Israel.