Israeli Arab tries to hijack El Al flight to Istanbul

Ha'aretz Daily ^

[rmlew]

An ethnic Arab, either Christian or Muslim, who is a citizen of Israel. There are about 1.2 million of them. These include Druze and Bedoiuns who regularly serve in the Israeli government. There are Arabs in the Knesset.

[Fabozz]

"I won't be surprised if we find out that was the plan, to ignite the entire middle east against Israel once and for all."

That'd be a fiendishly clever plan, no doubt about it, but I think this guy was a crazed loner—or maybe just a random drunkard. The PLO is very, very familiary with El Al security, and knows full well that a single guy with a knife has zero chance of taking over a plane. Arafat has nothing to gain from a failed hijacking.

[EggsAckley]

Excellent! Thank you for clearing that up. I'm still confused as to how can an Arab (muslim?) be a citizen of Israel without "sinning" in the eyes of his religion.

[Davea]

"This is a rehearsal. If the jackals in Al Qaeda can take down an El-Al, there'd be more dancing in the Palestinian streets...just like there was on 9/11."

You bet. This incident speaks volumes. I mean trying to hijack an El Al airliner with all the security they have!! A sign of things to come. A huge heads up.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Thanks. For some reason, I just can't fathom an Arab being a citizen of Israel, unless he's NOT a Muslim. Still kind of confusing.

About 15-20% of Israeli citizens speak Arabic at home. Most of them are Moslem. Mainstream Israeli Moslems are exempt from service in the Israeli military, but there are several minority groups who are disliked by other Moslems and, probably because of that, are active in the Israeli military as voluntary members or conscripts. There are, last I heard, 3 Moslem Israeli generals.

[the_second_moon]

I'm still confused as to how can an Arab (muslim?) be a citizen of Israel without "sinning" in the eyes of his religion.

REPLY TO #44:

the middle east is complicated :)

Most of the Israeli-Arabs see themeselves as protectors of arab land. if they can receive the benefits of being an israeli citizen (social benefits etc.) without the need to serve in the army like the rest of us (Muslim arabs are not asked to serve like all the jews), than, why not.

Asked publicly, any Israeli-Arab will tell you he doesn't like living under Israeli rule. Privately, they prefer the Israeli freedoms to their brother's regimes (Arafat, Saddam, Assad and friends...).

A year ago, some israelis thought to give some territory called the 'triangle' (an area in middle israel, neighboring the then PA area, with mostly arab population) to the PA (i.e. without moving homes, annexing the territory of Israel-Arabs to Arafat's). They opted to stay under Israeli rule!

So, with all their claims, Israeli-Arabs prefer take advantage of the Israeli state (without giving it their loyalt) than be under Arafat's rule.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Several years ago (and hardly at all since Sept. 11), it was possible to buy somewhat-sharp nylon knives over the internet. They're actually quite strong, and won't get picked up by metal detectors.

Right. Security comes from fighting back, not from keeping sharp objects from passengers. Searches are essential to stop bombs from getting on airplanes, but the only way to stop hijackers is the way the El Al did it today, and the less than fully successful but supremely brave way it was done by the passengers on Flight 93.

[KriegerGeist]

"El-Al is the wrong airline to pick if hijacking is the intent."

ATTENTION U.S. Government and Airlines: El Al. Watch and Learn. Copy if you like. Israel has not patented their screening methods.

[Lassiter]

Is this another "RELIGION OF PEACE" alert?

[Diana Rose]

3 Moslem Israeli generals


Maybe they are not all completely insane

[EggsAckley]

Thanks to all of you for filling in the blanks for me. I now have a much better understanding of the "Israeli-Arab" thing. Good job!

[Aquinasfan]

Hope they gave him a couple of insurance kicks.

No kidding.

[nicmarlo]

Thanks for your posts, very informative; now, one last question, where does the Balfour Agreement come in? Did I overlook this?

[OldFriend]

Not only are Arabs citizens of Israel, they also serve in the knesset.

Where have you been?

[monkeyshine]

The passengers were hysterical

I bet they were. I'd be freaked at first, too... then I'd want to kick his ass. Glad this ended well. What a stupid guy to think he could get away with it.

[Minutemen]

Another loss for the "Looney Religion" tm

[xJones]

Asked publicly, any Israeli-Arab will tell you he doesn't like living under Israeli rule. Privately, they prefer the Israeli freedoms to their brother's regimes (Arafat, Saddam, Assad and friends...).

Then they're just talking out of one side of their mouths and hoping like hell that their felllow Arabs don't take control? That's pathetic.

[Aric2000]

What kind of moron tries to hijack ElAl airlines?

ROFLMAO!!

If this is the best that they've got(terrorists), they're in deep kaka.