Although it was not yet certain exactly where the hijacking of the El Al plane en route to Israel took place Tuesday, sources in Rome stated today that “it is more than probable that it was over Italy.” The Italian Foreign Ministry reportedly said it believed the act took place outside Italian air space, but was apparently not sure – or at least adamant – about its position. The Foreign Ministry did affirm that it was “not impossible” it would intervene in the dispute “as friends both of Algeria and of Israel.”
Israeli Government sources reportedly have determined to their satisfaction that the plane was seized while still in Italian air space. If so, the sources say, the hijackers would be liable to prosecution in Italian courts and the Government of Algeria liable as an accessory to the act. It was reported that authorities in Rome assume that the plans for the hijacking of the El Al Boeing were laid there, and a thorough investigation of the incident is being demanded by the press and public figures.
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