Twenty-four nations have responded affirmatively so far to Israel’s demands for more stringent security measures at their airports and on their aircraft flying to Israel, it was announced today by Transport Minister Shimon Pres and Mordechai Gazit, director general of the Foreign Ministry. The precautions include personal searches of passengers and more thorough inspection of their baggage, Israel made its demands in the aftermath of the Lydda Airport massacre to 60 countries which have direct air links to Israel either by their own carriers or through other airlines. The 24 that have responded are the first to be heard from but additional response are expected hourly, Pores said, Nine out of 19 airlines approached have also accepted Israel’s demands.
Meanwhile Air France, the airline used by the three Japanese gunmen who killed 25 and wounded 70 with machinegun fire and grenades at Lydda last Tuesday, has informed the Transport Minister that it was ready to instate all precautionary measures asked by Israel. Similar messages have been received from Sabena, the Belgian airline and West Germany’s Lufthansa, Both airlines have recently been the targets of Arab terrorist acts.
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