Defense Minister Moshe Dayan tonight expressed regret over the airline disaster. “Needless to say I wish it had not happened,” he told a press conference. Dayan expressed hope that this would be taken as an incident of military character with no political implications. He stressed this was a military action and was decided upon within the military network according to standing orders and that the civil authorities–including Dayan himself–were not involved in it.
Dayan said further that the Libyan authorities’ attitude in connection with the Israeli-Arab conflict had no bearing on the incident whatsoever. The only puzzle is the behavior of the captain of the Libyan plane, Dayan stated. He said he hoped that when the co-pilot recovers he may offer an explanation as to why the captain, noticing and understanding the orders, behaved as he did and thus brought upon his passengers the tragic end.
Dayan stated there will be no military investigation into the incident as he was convinced that the Israeli pilots acted as they did in accordance with the circumstances. But all details will be handed over to Premier Golda Meir who will decide on further steps. He said further that Israel would cooperate with any international body–civil aviation, Red Cross or pilots’ association–and will supply them with every detail of the incident so they may take any action to prevent a recurrence.
Asked if Israel would offer compensations he said the question was not raised but private opinion is against it as Israel has nothing to be blamed for and the sole responsibility rests with the captain who disobeyed orders to land as directed.
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