Diplomatic row between Paris and Madrid over Jewish teens escalates

Tensions are escalating between Paris and Madrid following comments by Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente in the case involving the removal of a group of French Jewish teenagers from a flight in Spain.

The incident occurred on 23 July, when a group of around 40 teens was removed from a plane at Valencia airport.

Last Friday, Oscar Puente posted and then later deleted on the social media platform X, criticising Spanish conservative politicians for allegedly failing to back the airline and instead “supporting the Israeli brats.”

The post quickly drew ire from the French government, which also denounced the behaviour of Spanish law enforcement officers towards one of the group’s adult chaperones.

Videos on social media showed police holding the female counsellor on the ground while they handcuffed her.

“The French government firmly condemns the comments made by the Spanish Minister of Transport equating French children who were Jewish with Israeli citizens, as if this in any way justified the treatment to which they were exposed,” said Benjamin Haddad, Minister for European Affairs and Aurore Bergé, Minister for the Fight against Discrimination.

Conflicting accounts over removal

The airline Vueling justified its decision by citing behaviour that allegedly compromised flight safety.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the airline said the teenagers had tampered with oxygen masks and life jackets, despite being warned not to do so by the crew.

The situation ultimately led to the involvement of Spanish law enforcement.

However, the organiser of the summer camp the youngsters were attending contests this version of events and claims the group was removed “without just cause.”

A formal complaint is expected to be filed against the airline for “physical and psychological violence and discrimination on the grounds of religion.”