Israel has effectively barred Muslim crew members who hold dual nationality from flying into the country. Air France is now enforcing an Israeli order that keeps pilots and cabin crew with certain nationalities — including from Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan — off flights to Israel, according to a Middle East Eye report on a Mediapart investigation.
The restrictions cover 31 nationalities. Those listed include Algerian, Tunisian, Iranian, and Pakistani. French citizens who also hold one of those nationalities are affected as well.
The directive targets nationality rather than religion. In practice, it excludes Muslim pilots and cabin crew from those countries from operating into Israel.
Air France Warns Staff Over Second Nationality
Air France told affected employees they can no longer operate flights to Israel under Israeli instructions. The airline also warned staff to declare a second nationality. Failure to do so could bring disciplinary sanctions, Mediapart reported.
Enforcement could expose Air France to a legal challenge in France. The airline has not publicly commented on Mediapart’s findings. Middle East Eye said it contacted Air France and had received no reply by publication.
Israeli Order Covers Countries Without Diplomatic Ties
Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that Israel’s Ministry of Transport issued the directive on 1 October. Airlines must ensure that pilots and flight attendants entering Israeli airspace do not hold the nationality — or dual nationality — of a country without diplomatic relations with Israel.
Channel 13 reported that at least one unnamed Israeli airline is running background checks on about 2,500 pilots and cabin crew.
Ban Follows Alleged Flydubai Hijack Attempt
The order comes after an alleged attempt by an Omani flydubai co-pilot to seize control of a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight on 30 September and crash it into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The co-pilot told UAE investigators he acted alone. Those accounts have not been independently verified.
The suspect previously worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc. He joined flydubai in January 2026. ProPakistani earlier covered related reporting on the FlyDubai pilot case and the Omani co-pilot incident.
The post Israel Effectively Bans Muslims With Dual Nationalities appeared first on ProPakistani.