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Israel’s national airline El Al said local airport officials refused to refuel one of its planes that made an emergency landing in Turkey on Sunday.
The plane then flew to Rose International Airport, where it stopped for about an hour before continuing on to its final destination, according to FlightAware data.
In a statement to Business Insider, an El Al spokesperson said that a local worker in Turkey “refused to refuel the airline’s planes despite having a medical issue.”
A spokesman said passengers needing medical treatment were evacuated.
The airline told BI that the plane eventually took off for the Greek island of Rhodes, where it refueled before continuing on to Israel.
according to Israeli news media “Mako”The plane was on the runway at the Turkish airport for about two hours.
A passenger on the flight, who gave his name only as Mr Avner, told Mako that passengers were told local airport staff would refuel the plane but “the ground staff did not cooperate.”
An anonymous Turkish diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that “the plan was to refuel the plane for humanitarian reasons, but the captain decided to leave of his own accord just before the relevant procedures were completed.”
Last year, Antalya was one of the most popular holiday destinations for Israeli tourists. According to Mako.
However, since the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7 and the subsequent invasion of Gaza, all direct flights between Israel and Turkey have been cancelled.
In May, Turkey halts all trade with Israel The war in Gaza Attempted to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel At the International Court of Justice.
Turkish President Erdogan also stepped up his criticism of Israel. November’s “terrorist state” last year.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: He will not be lectured by his leader. “Bombing Kurdish villages”