Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Woman Causes Stir on El Al Flight

August 8, 1991
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

An E1 A1 flight from Berlin to Tel Aviv took an unusual turn Tuesday, when a 30-year-old Argentine passenger suddenly tore off her dress and began running wildly up and down the aisle, shrieking, “Bring me Shamir. I want Shamir.”

Cabin attendants who tried to calm her said she bit several of them before being overpowered.

The pilot radioed ahead, and police were at the aircraft steps to escort Julia Lillan away for interrogation. Eyewitnesses said she “jumped and danced her way merrily” to the Ben-Gurion Airport police post.

Passengers described the woman as “clearly drunk,” after having finished a large bottle of whiskey during the flight. But the police released her on her own bond, reportedly finding no evidence that she was inebriated.

The woman’s only baggage was a plastic bag she carried containing $30,000, more than enough to pay for her release bond, but no clothes to replace the dress she had torn off.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement