Vueling defends safety-based disembarkation of Jewish teens amid accusations of antisemitism

Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling is facing accusations of antisemitism after a group of Jewish teenagers from France was removed from a flight departing from Valencia to Paris-Orly on Wednesday, 24 July. The incident, widely circulated on social media, has sparked political outrage in Israel and France, with critics calling it an “antisemitic incident reminiscent of the Second World War.”

Videos shared online show members of the Guardia Civil removing a 21-year-old female chaperone from the aircraft, she was restrained and forcibly removed by police after allegedly failing to comply with orders. According to reports, the 47 minors – aged between 13 and 15 – and their four adult supervisors were returning from a summer camp in Calella.

Vueling denies all accusations of antisemitism, stating in an official statement issued on 25 July that the passengers were disembarked “solely for safety reasons.” The airline says a group of teenagers engaged in disruptive behavior and interfered with passenger safety equipment, including tampering with life jackets and oxygen masks, and repeatedly interrupting the safety demonstration.

According to Vueling, despite repeated warnings from the crew, the group continued to act inappropriately, prompting the First Officer to intervene and ultimately leading the Captain to request support from Spanish law enforcement in line with air safety regulations.

“Passengers were disembarked to safeguard the safety of other passengers,” the statement reads, referencing Article 41 of Spain’s Air Safety Law and EU aviation safety regulations. The Guardia Civil confirmed in a separate statement that the disembarkation was based on the passengers’ conduct. No arrests were made, although force was used on one adult who refused to comply.

However, relatives and supporters of the teenagers are challenging the airline’s account. One mother told i24News that the group had merely sung a song in Hebrew, prompting a threat from the crew to call the police. She described the children as being left in shock after the entire group was forced to disembark.

Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli reacted strongly, accusing the Vueling crew of calling Israel “a terrorist state” and alleging the event was part of a broader rise in antisemitic incidents.

“Fifty Jewish French children, aged 10–15, were singing Hebrew songs on the plane,” Chikli wrote on social media. “They were forced off the aircraft and left stranded in Valencia.”

French Member of Parliament Caroline Yadan also weighed in, demanding accountability if the reported facts are confirmed:

“If true, this would be extremely serious. The airline must face justice,” she said, referencing the violent restraint of the group’s 21-year-old chaperone.

The incident caused a 2 hour and 20 minute delay for flight YV8166. Some members of the group were rebooked on other flights later that day, while others were forced to spend the night in Spain.

Vueling emphasized its commitment to passenger safety and diversity, noting it employs over 5,000 staff from more than 60 nationalities and serves 30 countries.

The airline confirmed it is continuing to investigate the incident.