An El Al plane flying from Warsaw to Israel on Sunday was forced to make an emergency landing at Antalya airport in Turkey due to a passenger’s medical crisis.
Turkish authorities not only refused to allow passengers to exit the plane, with passengers forced to sit on the plane for several hours, but also refused to refuel the plane.
Eventually, the plane flew to Rhodes, Greece to refuel before continuing to Israel.
It is unclear what happened with the passenger who required medical treatment.
Direct flights between Israel and Turkey were canceled after the war in Gaza began in the wake of the October 7th massacre.
“If this doesn’t convince travelers not to fly with Turkish Airlines when they resume flights to Tel Aviv, I don’t what else will,” Mark Feldman, Jerusalem director of Diesenhaus Tours, told JNS. “I have nothing against the Turkish people but Turkish Airlines is owned by an antisemitic despot who should be shunned at all costs.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
6 Responses
People do need to start really considering flying Elal. They are the only ones that care about us at all as has been proven over and over again.
This behavior by Turkey is in part Israel’s fault. Israel is viewed by Erdogan ys”v as a patsy. Every once in a while he sends signals that he wants to reconcile w/Israel and every time Israel believes this and starts “kissing up” to him.
Israel has forgotten what an enemy is…. whether active combatants or passive.
Israel needs to learn and REMEMBER who her friends (if any) are and who her enemies are…. and damnit DON’T FORGET. So the next time there’s a major earthquake in Turkey (may it come soon), do NOT send money or assistance of any kinds.
Yochy..who do your mean when you say PEOPLE….how does Elal care about us when for the last few months they raised their airfare over 45% because the PEOPLE had no other choice. PEOPLE will fly according to their budget and if they can save $$$$ they will fly any airline that gets them to Israel. The PEOPLE do the same when it comes to shopping , rather then supporting patronizing their local retail stores they shop online ,as long they can save a few dollars. PEOPLE are struggling financially and trying to cut corners and if they can reach their destination for 400-700 dollars less the PEOPLE will NOT consider flying ELAL….Also most of PEOPLE have mileage and points so they will fly with the airline that they partnered with.
Why are the politicians ignoring this?
This was elal
Time for a change in government in Turkey. Years ago, Turkey and Israel were considered allies.