Report: France stops giving visas to El Al security staff

France has stopped renewing work visas for El Al security staff members, the Ynet news site reports, citing sources within El Al.

The decision would seem to be related to rising tensions in France over Israel’s military operation in Gaza. If they are denied work visas, staff members are forced to either leave the country or work illegally.

Until now, El Al security staff have been classified as ITAN workers (Israeli citizens supporting diplomatic missions) and were granted visas via the Israeli embassy. However, no employees have had their visas renewed in the last six months, a source told Ynet.

A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry says the issue is being checked.

“The matter is being handled by the embassy in coordination with the French Foreign Ministry,” the spokesperson says.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responds to the report with surprise. “Say it ain’t so, France. Say it ain’t so! What happened to France?” he posts on X.

Say it ain't so, France. Say it ain't so! What happened to France?https://t.co/yYINISH1Gh

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 12, 2025

Last week, El Al’s Paris offices were smeared with red paint and anti-Israel graffiti.

Pictures posted online showed the doors of the offices covered in paint and the words “Free Palestine” daubed in several places in a number of languages, along with graffiti reading “El Al genocide airline.”