El Al Flight Recalled To Israel After Security Alert – OpEd

The father of a passenger on an El Al flight from Ben Gurion to Hong Kong reported some strange goings-on last night. Here is what he wrote me:

Last night July 21st 2012 ELAL flight LY75 from Tel Aviv to Hong Kong turned back one hour after leaving Ben Gurion airport. The passengers were told after landing that there was a hydraulic problem. Wwhen they landed the plane was surrounded by ambulances and security forces. The flight was then delayed and eventually left at 7:04AM this morning.

Not one Israeli media outlet has written anything about this incident, which is suspicious, as they usually report on events like these. The only reason I can see for this media silence is a gag order by the courts. This would suggest that it was not a technical problem but a security issue.

Indeed, he appears to be correct. This online flight forum post confirms this news. My Israel source reports through his security contacts that there was a security alert and that it’s “highly classified.” Israel is on a heightened state of alert since recent terror attacks in Bulgaria and attempted attacks elsewhere. I’m guessing that either there was such an attack on the plane or that they anticipated such an attack. It may not have happened or it may have been thwarted. Either an attacker or passenger may’ve been injured.

Given the state of siege Israel implements regarding such security secrets, no one may find out what really happened for some time. If I can exert some pressure via this blog then perhaps it will loosen the tongue of the national security state.

What really happened on Flight 75, Israel?

This article appeared in Tikun Olam