An Israair flight was canceled after a service vehicle struck the aircraft at the airport, in what Israeli authorities suspect was a deliberate nationalist incident. This is the third time in less than a year that a British-operated vehicle has hit the airline's planes, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
Reports confirm that an Israair flight was canceled after a ground service vehicle struck the aircraft at a London airport, in what is now being treated as a suspected nationalist attack — the third such incident involving a British-operated vehicle hitting the airline's planes in less than a year. The security establishment suspects a nationalist motive, as The Zioneer reported earlier this evening.
The incident first emerged Friday afternoon, July 17, at 15:44 Jerusalem time, when reports indicated a ground tug vehicle had struck an Israair plane at a London airport, forcing the cancellation of the flight and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Within the same hour, The Zioneer reported that passengers were evacuated to the terminal and hotels, with a rescue flight being arranged, though Shabbat-observant passengers would not return until Sunday. The airline later stated that this was the third such incident at the same airport, with no prior investigation conducted. By 15:44, Israeli authorities had escalated their assessment, suspecting intentional damage, and the security establishment now considers a nationalist motive likely.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Israel's concerns over ground-handling safety at foreign airports, particularly regarding British-operated vehicles. The airline has called for a full investigation into the pattern of incidents.
The investigation remains ongoing. No group has claimed responsibility, and the exact motive has not been officially confirmed. It is also unclear whether any changes have been made to ground-handling procedures at the London airport.
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