El Al to pay passengers – court ruling in Bat Yam
A small claims court in Bat Yam ordered El Al to pay a couple 5,677 shekels for hotel, meals, and transportation, plus about 900 shekels in court costs. The lawsuit was filed after the couple was stranded in Dubai for ten days due to a flight cancellation on March 2, 2026. The court rejected claims for emotional distress and lost income, citing force majeure.
A small claims court in Bat Yam ordered El Al to pay a couple 5,677 shekels for hotel, meals, and transportation, plus about 900 shekels to cover court costs. The total payment amounted to approximately 6,600 shekels. The lawsuit was filed after the couple was stranded in Dubai for ten days due to the cancellation of a direct flight on March 2, 2026, shortly after the start of Operation 'Roar of the Lion'. The spouses demanded 37,700 shekels, including expenses for accommodation, meals, transportation, compensation for loss of income, and emotional distress. Judge Sher Sander-Makover partially accepted the claim, recognizing basic needs expenses as justified, but rejected claims for emotional distress and lost income, as the flight cancellation was caused by force majeure. Claims for compensation for a hairdresser visit and purchase of new clothes were also rejected. The company had already refunded the cost of the canceled tickets in full before the trial. The ruling sets a precedent for future disputes, defining the boundaries of airline liability during wartime.