The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain issued a statement expressing their concern about the incident involving a group of young French Jews at Valencia Airport.
“The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), the only institution that officially represents the Jews of Spain, expresses its concern over the events that took place on board a Vueling airline plane on Wednesday, July 23, at Valencia Airport, where a group of young French Jews was removed from the aircraft.
The various accounts circulating on social media and in the press to which we have had access do not clarify the cause of the incident. Therefore, we request detailed explanations from Vueling, accompanied by documentary evidence of what occurred on board the plane, with particular interest in determining whether there were possible discriminatory religious motives against the minors.
The FCJE considers it the airline’s responsibility to provide immediate and transparent explanations about the incident, as well as to carry out an internal review to determine whether an inappropriate protocol was followed.
Singing and displays of excitement on planes are not uncommon, and we believe that if these expressions were the cause of the incident, Vueling must make that clear.
Airlines have the responsibility to ensure the respect and dignity of all their passengers, without exception.
The FCJE does not question the actions of the Civil Guard officers, who intervened at the request of the plane’s captain.
The FCJE believes that this type of incident — which causes great concern and distress and involves minors — requires clear and responsible institutional responses.
We at the FCJE reiterate our commitment to coexistence, mutual understanding, and respect within a framework of safety and order. We remain available to all parties to ensure this unfortunate episode does not overshadow the memory of an unforgettable vacation.”
