Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday evening that the US refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport must not be allowed to turn the airport into a military base. She called on the Defense Ministry to address the issue, warning that the aircraft prevents Israeli citizens from exercising their flights.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Tuesday evening that the US refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport must not be allowed to turn the airport into a military base, and warned that they prevent Israeli citizens from exercising their flights. This marks a sharpening of her position after earlier assurances that no tickets would be canceled.
Earlier Tuesday at 13:36 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Regev had instructed Ben Gurion to prevent the landing of any US military aircraft, expanding an earlier order barring additional refueling tankers. At the same time, Transport Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben-Zaken confirmed that Minister Regev had ordered no civilian flights be harmed and no tickets canceled. The initial reports of the dispute emerged from N12, with Transport Ministry officials accusing the Defense Ministry of failing to prepare for the return of fuel-truck operators, resulting in only about 30 refuelers at the airport.
The Zioneer has reported that Regev has been escalating her criticism of the US administration over the presence of American refueling aircraft. On Sunday Jun 14, she called for their removal, saying 'Our airports have become US military bases.' On Jun 10, she criticized President Trump for 'taking up parking space at Ben Gurion' instead of striking Iran. The aircraft are associated with US military operations amid tensions with Iran, including a period when Ben Gurion was closed due to military activity (Jun 7).
It is unclear how the Defense Ministry will respond to Regev's latest call, and whether the US refueling aircraft will be relocated or if the airport's operational status will be affected. No statement from the Defense Ministry or the US military has been reported in connection with Regev's evening statement.
6 developments
- DevelopingRegev calls for removal of US refueling aircraft from Israel, escalating rift with Trump
- DevelopingRegev: Ben Gurion operating normally, US refuelers not returning amid evacuation
- StrongUS pledges to remove ~20 refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion by Tuesday, Regev says
- ConfirmedMinistry of Transportation: US refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion for refueling only, not parking
Source and signal
- Internal intake