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Arab Pilot of Iraqi Jet Fighter Lands in Israel; Asks for Asylum

August 17, 1966
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The pilot of a Soviet-built MIG-21 jet fighter, bearing the insignia of the Iraqi Air Force, surrendered to Israel with his plane today and asked for asylum.

The plane was seen coming into Israeli air space this morning, across the Jordanian border. Iraq had no common border with Israel. When Israeli jet planes arose to challenge the MIG-21, the pilot of that plane, a captain, signaled that he would like to have permission to land and to surrender. He was given such permission.

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