What It Is About

Two Israeli citizens faced a nerve-wracking situation when their Flydubai flight from Dubai to Sri Lanka made an emergency landing in Pakistan, a country with no diplomatic ties to Israel, on Thursday morning.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores the precarious situation of Israelis traveling abroad, especially in countries without diplomatic relations with Israel. It also highlights the increased risks posed by global jihadist organizations, often backed by Iran, during the ongoing conflict in Gaza and amid a surge in worldwide antisemitic sentiments.

The Incident

The Flydubai flight was compelled to land in Karachi late Wednesday after a passenger onboard fell ill and required medical evacuation. During the stop, Israeli passengers contacted the Foreign Ministry and all passengers were instructed to remain on the plane.

The Response

Following a few tense hours, the flight successfully resumed its journey without any further incident. The Foreign Ministry confirmed that the safety of the Israeli passengers was assured throughout the ordeal.

Context

The episode took place amidst heightened security warnings by Israel’s National Security Council. The NSC has advised against travel to Pakistan due to the activity of terrorist groups and the country’s general hostility towards Israel.

Related Incidents

This is not the first time Israeli passengers have encountered similar challenges. Several weeks ago, an El Al flight from Warsaw to Tel Aviv was denied refueling in Turkey after an emergency landing to evacuate a sick passenger. Turkey has severed trade relations with Israel in light of the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.