On Monday, February 16, 140 checked bags destined for a flight to Tel Aviv were discovered with ‘Free Palestine’ stickers affixed to them. The incident raised immediate security concerns, leading to a nearly two-hour delay for the EL AL flight as airport officials conducted additional screening procedures.

The bags were noticed once aboard the scheduled flight, prompting the unloading of all 140 pieces of luggage. Airport security then re-screened each bag individually to ensure they were not laced with explosives. The extensive checks caused many bags to be left behind, delaying the flight’s departure and causing frustration among passengers.

EL AL operates a non-stop flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 2:00 pm, was delayed until 3:39 pm. It eventually arrived in Tel Aviv at 2:45 am the following day, one hour behind its expected arrival time of 1:45 pm, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.

Among the affected passengers was one who claimed the bag contained a dress for their daughter’s wedding, as reported by Y Net News. Others expressed understanding, emphasizing that safety was more important than the inconvenience.

Passengers were informed of the issue upon arrival in Tel Aviv. The bags were later screened and sent on the next day’s flight to Israel.

Initially, passengers were advised of a 25-minute delay. A second announcement later revealed a ‘serious issue’ with the baggage, which led to the flight delay. The incident has raised concerns about how the stickers were placed on the bags and whether the individual responsible could be trusted in the future.

Given the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, the incident has heightened sensitivity around airline security and community concerns. The ‘Free Palestine’ sticker is a symbol of support for Palestinian self-determination and calls for an end to Israeli occupation, though some view it as a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state or the removal of Israel.

EL AL, Israel’s flag carrier, is known for its stringent security measures. The airline conducts one-on-one pre-flight interviews with all passengers and employs undercover armed air marshals, reinforced cockpits, and an integrated anti-missile defense system. It operates flights to several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, using Boeing 777-200ER, 787-8, and 787-9 aircraft.