Simon Wiesenthal Center Calls for Independent Investigation After Jewish Children Removed from Vueling Flight in Alleged Antisemitic Incident

July 25, 2025

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center is requesting that International Airlines Group (LSE: IAG.L), the parent company of Vueling Airlines, as well as relevant Spanish authorities, conduct independent investigations after shocking video emerged of a 21-year-old Jewish camp counselor being violently pinned to the ground and ejected from a Vueling Airlines flight in Spain, while 44 Jewish children and their chaperones were removed from the aircraft after singing songs in Hebrew. According to a statement from Vueling Airlines, “The decision was taken solely and exclusively to guarantee the safety of all passengers.” Vueling has provided no evidence the children posed any real threat. One eyewitness claims the children were calm and not disruptive. Unverified reports suggest crew members or one crew member may have made inflammatory remarks about Israel.

“If Jewish children singing in Hebrew now triggers law enforcement and handcuffs, then something is broken, not just in the airline’s policy but in society,” said Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “We’re calling for an independent investigation, staffed by investigators from outside of International Airlines Group and Vueling, with full transparency on the events leading to the expulsion of these Jewish campers and the violent arrest of their counselor. If this wasn’t antisemitism, then there should be no hesitation in launching an independent investigation that solicits eyewitness testimony from other passengers and crew.”

“It is our hope that International Airlines Group will not tolerate any displays of antisemitism amongst its subsidiaries or employees.” Berk added.

For further information, please email Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, Deborah Camiel at dcamiel@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your X feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).