..................
A major victory for terror. Don't recall our doing this when Sadaam was launching scuds, though we may have. Not much different than the administration's policy on our border. The terrorists and drug smugglers win.
Posted on 07/22/2014 10:50:09 AM PDT by SJackson
FAA bans American flights to Israel for 24 hours
Decision comes after Delta, US Airways and United Airlines cancel flights due to rocket fired from Gaza causing damage in Yehud, some 5 kilometers from Ben-Gurion Airport
The US Federal Aviation Authority on Tuesday banned US flights from traveling to and from Ben Gurion Airport for 24 hours after a Hamas rocket landed in Yehud, near Ben Gurion Airport, earlier in the day.
"The FAA immediately notified US carriers when the agency learned of the rocket strike and informed them that the agency was finalizing a [Notice to Airmen]" prohibiting the flights.
American aviation companies Delta, United said they were suspending flights to Israel "indefinitely," while the Israel Airports Authority confirmed that US Airways had suspended flights for the night.
Delta diverted flight 468 from JFK with 273 passengers and 17 crew, Paris-Charles de Gaulle "after reports of a rocket or associated debris near the airport in Tel Aviv," and said that it was working to re-accommodate its customers.
While the FAA does not have jurisdiction over European or other international air carriers, the decision may lead to other cancellations.
"As soon as the FAA gives such an order to US carriers, in most cases it's a domino effect, and most European carriers will be forced to suspend their flights," said an industry source. "This is a huge coup for Hamas."
Transportation Minister Israel Katz called on American aviation companies to return to normal functioning, stressing that Ben-Gurion airport was safe from for take-offs and landings, and that there was no security concern for passenger planes.
"There is no reason for the American companies to stop their flight and give a prize to terror," he said.
Tourism accounts for about 5% of Israel's exports, and has already declined as a result of the rocket fire from Gaza.
On Monday, the state department issued a travel warning recommending "that US citizens consider the deferral of non-essential travel to Israel and the West Bank," but noted that "Ben Gurion Airport is currently open and commercial flights are operating normally, although delays and cancellations can occur."
Though the Iron Dome missile defense system has managed to shoot down about 90% of rockets headed toward populated or strategic areas, the decision was likely fueled by the recent downing of a Malaysian plan in Ukraine, likely by pro-Russian rebels.
The rocket which landed in the courtyard of a home in Yehud on Tuesday, causing damage and leaving two people lightly injured, marked the first direct hit in the greater Tel Aviv area since the Gaza operation began more than two weeks ago.
=========================
US urges deferral of travel to Israel, increases first aid to Gaza
While the State Department alert acknowledges the success of Iron Dome, it adds that "there have been impacts that have caused damage and injury."
VIENNA -- The State Department has warned its citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Israel, given an increase in rocket fire from Gaza and the current violent crisis with Hamas, in an updated travel alert issued Monday.
The notice tells Americans who choose to travel despite the warning to avoid regions of Israel near Gaza, in order to avoid the "real risks" of harm or death by small-arms fire, anti-tank machinery, rockets and mortars.
"Long-range rockets launched from Gaza since July 8, 2014 have reached many locations in Israel– including Tel Aviv, cities farther north, and throughout the south of the country," the warning reads. "Some rockets have reached Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank, including Bethlehem and Hebron.
While the State Department alert acknowledges the success of Iron Dome, it adds that "there have been impacts that have caused damage and injury."
"In light of the ongoing rocket attacks," it continues, American visitors to residents "should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened site, if available."
The updated advisory came as US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to the region in an effort to broker an immediate cease-fire, modeled off an agreement that ended hostilities between Hamas and Israel in 2012.
Before departing for Egypt, Kerry announced an additional $47 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, reiterating US President Barack Obama's growing concerns with the mounting civilian death toll from the conflict.
$15 million of those funds will boost operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), while the rest will go to USAID's disaster, humanitarian and emergency relief efforts.
..................
A major victory for terror. Don't recall our doing this when Sadaam was launching scuds, though we may have. Not much different than the administration's policy on our border. The terrorists and drug smugglers win.
Unlike EL AL, which has special missel rockets carried as well, the USA planes do not.
Considering the sudden "travel ban," as if Israel were a terrorist country, I'd like to know what country's agents fired that rocket. Made in the 0bama States of America?
I was scheduled and already paid up for a trip to Israel in 92, and the State department forced the trip to be cancelled due to Saddam’s SCUDS.
Luckily, it was through a tour company, and I got a refund.
Is this just an attempt to put pressure on Israel?
I wouldn’t be surprised at all; nor if there are further
economic pressures to follow.
Anyone wanting to go to Israel should just another nation’s carriers.
My thoughts as well.
We are going all out to save the terrorists. Anyone hear anything about our 600 advisors we sent to Iraq?????
Didn’t recall, but that was a reasonable decision on the part of the FAA or State, or whoever made it. This ban won’t end until the threat of rocket fire from Gaza and Lebanon is gone, which won’t be any time soon. Or until Israel decides to end their attempt to erase the threat.
Not a travel ban, just a flight ban. IMO, it’s won’t be for 24 hours.
I think it is going to be just for the next 24 hours, that is it.
Yes. A safer line to fly anyway, though this is a ground threat, not ground to air as in the Ukraine. Hamas announced Ben Gurion was a target the first or second day. Now they have a victory.
I would not have remembered either, if it had not happened to me personally.
I did, however, go back in 1984, El Al all the way and no problems!
I wouldn’t doubt it.
Yes, a serious one. Iron Dome has shot down several rockets targeted at Ben Gurion. Now that one has struck a house nearby, the west has an excuse to act. The solution is to eliminate the threat, though much of the west won't see it that way.
Egypt? Expect Israel to allow aid flights in?
Time will tell. A 24 hour ban makes no sense, the threat will still be there.
“Kerry announced an additional $47 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip”
And the Gazans owe Israel about $60 million for unpaid power bills (which Israel provides without compensation).
How about Israel confiscating the money for bills past due?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.