When the Iranian pilot working for Turkish Airlines landed in Ben-Gurion International Airport on Erev Shabbos he thought he would be granted entry into the country but this did not happen. The pilot was compelled to return to Turkey later in the day, on another Turkish Airlines flight. Turkish Airlines has since acknowledged that assigning the pilot to the flight touching down in Tel Aviv was an error.

When the pilot, who was holding an Iranian passport arrived at border control, airline officials asked authorities to make an exception and permit him into the country for a one-night stay. The ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) was contacted and the request was promptly denied. The pilot was compelled to remain at the airport and later travel back to Turkey on another flight.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)