Jewish summer camp group removed from a flight in Valencia amid antisemitism allegations

On 23 July, Vueling, a British-Spanish low-cost airline, removed 50 Jewish summer camp children from an aircraft after the group of students engaged in what reports describe as “disruptive behaviour”.

A video on the Internet shows a woman being arrested by Spanish police in the airport terminal floor. Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, posted the footage, identifying the arrested woman as the director of the Kinneret summer camp. He stated that she was “beaten” and that “fifty Jewish French children, aged 10 – 15, were singing Hebrew songs on the plane.”

The camp asserted that the incident stemmed from antisemitic attitudes displayed by the staff involved. But Vueling has “categorically denied” that the flight crew’s decision was on the basis of religious beliefs. “The actions of the on-board staff were solely in response to behaviour that compromised the integrity of the flight, as well as the safety of the passengers and the operation as a whole,” the statement read.

Vueling statement regarding the passengers disembarked for disruptive behaviour on flight VY8166 pic.twitter.com/WQ2255Ujqy

— Vueling Airlines (@vueling) July 24, 2025

The statement further explained that the teenagers “mishandled emergency equipment and actively disrupted the mandatory safety demonstration,” and ignored “multiple warnings.”  Vueling reported that its crew requested the intervention of the Civil Guard police force. The police subsequently made the decision to disembark the group, citing the safety of the other passengers as the primary concern.

Accounts, primarily from Jewish media, allege that the airline staff made incendiary statements, such as labelling Israel a “terrorist state,” towards the group that reportedly sang loudly in Hebrew aboard the plane.

One of the minors on the flight shared that the group had occupied their seats peacefully. “One of my friends shouted a word in Hebrew because he was still a bit in holiday-camp mood,” he said. “Perhaps he said it too loudly.” According to the teenager, flight attendants warned the group they would involve the police if the noise continued. “We immediately stopped making noise,” he said.

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), representing Spanish Jews, expressed concern after the incident and contacted Vueling for clarification on the events aboard the plane. “The FCJE believes the airline is responsible for providing immediate and transparent explanations for what happened, as well as conducting an internal review to determine whether there was an inadequate protocol,” it said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that it, along with the Israeli Embassy in Madrid, remained in constant contact with airport authorities after the incident. “Israel, the Foreign Ministry, and Israeli missions around the world will continue to act and provide assistance to Israelis and Jews in distress wherever they may be,” the ministry stated.