Anti-Israel activists stick 'Free Palestine' stickers on luggage of El Al passengers

Anti-Israel activists placed “Free Palestine” stickers on 140 suitcases belonging to El Al passengers at Los Angeles airport on Monday, delaying the Israel-bound flight by two hours and triggering extensive security checks. The flight was reportedly filled with Israelis returning home after attending NBA All-Star weekend events featuring Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija.

“It was a regular El Al flight on Monday afternoon from Los Angeles, full of Israelis who had gone to the All-Star to see Deni Avdija and were heading home,” one passenger recalled. 

“We checked our suitcases as usual and were supposed to take off at 2 p.m. At first, they said there would be a 25-minute delay, then they said there was a bigger delay because of an issue with luggage. Only around a quarter to four did we take off,” the frustrated traveler explained.

The lengthy delay was attributed to security procedures conducted by El Al personnel, who are required to individually inspect each suitcase to ensure it contains no explosives or other prohibited items. The airline ultimately decided, citing security and scheduling considerations, to depart without the 140 pieces of luggage.

At least one passenger opposed the decision, arguing that his wife’s suitcase contained a dress for their daughter’s wedding. The flight’s head purser reportedly replied by stressing, “It’s better to arrive safely without the suitcase than the alternative.”

El Al, Israel's flagship airline, notified travelers upon their arrival in Israel that their luggage had been left behind in Los Angeles for security reasons. The suitcases were scheduled to be placed on the next flight to Ben Gurion International Airport, close to Tel Aviv. 

El Al has established an international reputation for its stringent security standards. Passengers on the affected flight described the incident as a scandal and questioned how workers were able to place the stickers on so many suitcases bound for Israel.

“How did they allow this employee to put the stickers on?” passengers asked. “If they allowed him to do that, how can they ensure that next time something won’t be put inside the suitcases?”

The number of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incidents has soared worldwide since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel, which resulted in the murder of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people from southern Israel. 

El Al has also been the target of such campaigns. 

Last August, anti-Israel activists vandalized El Al’s Paris headquarters by spraying the words “genocide airline” across the front doors. 

“El Al views this incident with utmost seriousness and is working with French and Israeli authorities to address it,” the Israeli airline stated. “We proudly carry Israel’s flag on our planes’ tails and condemn all forms of violence, especially those driven by antisemitism."

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot also condemned the incident: "Acts of hatred and anti-Semitism have no place in our Republic."