Israeli Court Awards Partial Compensation to Couple Stranded in Dubai Amid Military Operation

In March 2026, an Israeli couple’s flight from Dubai to Israel was canceled due to the outbreak of the military operation "Lion's Roar," forcing them to remain in Dubai for 10 days before returning on a foreign airline. The couple sued El Al, Israel's national airline, seeking 37,700 shekels in compensation for lost income, accommodation, food, transportation, and emotional distress. The Tel Aviv Small Claims Court ruled that El Al was only liable for partial reimbursement, as the flight cancellation was caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control, specifically the war and the closure of Israeli airspace.

Judge Sar Sander Makover acknowledged the couple’s difficult situation but emphasized that the airline could not be held responsible for statutory compensation related to income loss or emotional distress. The court confirmed that under Israeli aviation law, passengers are entitled to assistance such as food, lodging, and transportation for only two nights during extraordinary events. El Al was ordered to pay the couple 5,677 shekels for hotel, food, and travel expenses plus an additional 900 shekels for other costs. Receipts for unrelated expenses like haircuts or clothing were not reimbursed.

This ruling clarifies that in cases of flight cancellations due to emergencies like war, airlines are only obligated to cover limited assistance costs, not full compensation for all passenger losses. The case number is 76440-03-26. The decision highlights the legal limits of airline liability during force majeure events affecting Israeli travelers abroad.