Middle East News
Fighter jets escort Israeli passenger plane amid sabotage threat
Sep 24, 2008, 18:11 GMT
Tel Aviv - An Israeli El-Al passenger plane was escorted by fighter jets all the way from Paris to Tel Aviv Wednesday, after the Israeli airline received an anonymous email threat, Israel's Channel 10 reported.
The email, received at El-Al's headquarters several days ago, had threatened to harm Wednesday's specific flight, LY324, from Paris to Tel Aviv, the television channel reported.
Israeli and French authorities coordinated with NATO and took no chances, with passengers undergoing especially thorough security checks before boarding in Paris.
Fighter jets belonging to the air forces of France, Italy, Greece and finally Israel, then took turns to escort the plane through the countries' respective airspaces, until it landed safely in Tel Aviv Wednesday evening.
The passengers were able to disembark without incident. Israeli security combed the plane, but no bomb was found on board, the channel said.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
