Israel has threatened to halt all direct flights to Denmark after Copenhagen refused to allow Israeli security personnel to perform security checks at the country’s main airport.

Tel Aviv had demanded that Israeli security personnel carry out independent security checks on passengers flying from Copenhagen to Tel Aviv on the newly-launched Israeli Arkia Airlines’ Copenhagen-Tel Aviv route, Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz and other media reported.

Israel had also demanded that Danish aviation authorities allow armed Israeli guards patrol certain ‘Israeli security zones’ at Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport.

Danish aviation authorities, however, rejected both demands, saying they are in sharp contrast with laws of freedom and human dignity.

Danish authorities offered to allow Israeli personnel to cooperate with Danish security staff in carrying out the security checks for Arkia Airlines, but the Israelis refused the offer.

The two sides held negotiations on the issue over the weekend, but no agreement was reached.

The Israeli decision to halt flights to Denmark is expected to leave thousands of passengers stranded.

Israel’s Arkia Airlines is set to begin service on July 4.

(Press TV)