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Ethiopian Cargo Plane Diverted From Israel Over Pilot's Indonesian Citizenship

Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba

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An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane bound for Israel was diverted back to Addis Ababa on October 11-12 because a pilot held Indonesian citizenship, a country without diplomatic ties to Israel. The crew manifest was received after departure, revealing the restriction. The pilot was replaced, and the flight later landed safely in Israel. Ethiopian Airlines cited an error regarding awareness of Israeli entry rules for Indonesian citizens.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane was diverted from Israel due to a pilot's Indonesian citizenship.
The incident occurred on the night of October 11-12.
Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
The crew manifest was received by Israeli security after the plane departed.
The pilot was replaced, and the flight later landed safely in Israel.
Ethiopian Airlines cited an error regarding awareness of Israeli entry restrictions.

Ethiopian Cargo Plane Diverted From Israel Over Pilot's Indonesian Citizenship — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

A cargo plane operated by Ethiopian Airlines, en route from Addis Ababa to Ben Gurion Airport, was forced to turn back to Ethiopia on the night of October 11-12 after it was discovered that one of its pilots held Indonesian citizenship. The flight had already been airborne for about an hour when Israeli security services received the crew manifest, which revealed the pilot's nationality. Indonesia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, leading to restrictions on entry for its citizens. The aircraft was instructed to return to Addis Ababa. Upon landing, the Indonesian pilot was replaced by another crew member, and the cargo flight then proceeded to Israel, landing safely at Ben Gurion Airport. Ethiopian Airlines attributed the incident to an error, stating they were unaware of Israel's regulations concerning pilots with Indonesian citizenship. These stricter screening procedures for foreign flight crews were reportedly implemented following a recent attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight by an Omani pilot heading to Tel Aviv.