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PrintIAF intercepts Blair’s plane
Israel accidentally scrambled jets to intercept a plane carrying Quartet envoy Tony Blair.
Blair flew to Tel Aviv Wednesday from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik, where he had attended the World Economic Forum.
Israel’s ground control failed to establish contact with the aircraft and, fearing it might have been commandeered by terrorists, sent up two warplanes to intercept it.
The jets were called off when Blair’s pilot made an emergency call to Tel Aviv for clarification.
Israel intercepts incoming aircraft on an almost monthly basis due to concerns that al-Qaida or Hezbollah could try to mount 9/11-style attacks.
A new pilot identification system that Israel is issuing to all airlines that enter its territory should reduce the risk of mistaken interceptions.
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