Explanation of the head of the Israel Aviation Organization about the “sensitive weekend” – Mehr News agency RCO News Agency
According to Mehr news agency, quoted by Al-Mayadin network, the head of this organization, Shmuel Zakai, issued an explanation to foreign airlines to clarify the meaning of his previous message, which was se in a tense atmosphere with Iran; A message in which preparations for a “sensitive weekend” were meioned.
Zakai stated that he basically mea last weekend and not next weekend. This explanation was provided after the said message caused a wide coroversy and was published globally.
However, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the text of the original message coained several phrases that gave the impression that the reference was to next weekend, not the past; The issue raised questions about the actual coe of the message.
Dean Fisher, the network’s aviation corresponde, said: “The message se to foreign airlines had a remarkable title and stated that the situation in the region remains dynamic and estimates show that the weekend will be the beginning of a more sensitive period.” Also, in this message, it was emphasized on the readiness to close the airspace, if necessary, like what happened in April and October 2024 and June 2025.
Fisher added: On the one hand, this message was an attempt to assure foreign airlines that the situation is normal now and they can coinue their flights, but on the other hand, it spoke of moving towards a more sensitive period, which seemed like a coradiction.
The reporter also raised questions: among other things, whether such a message was fundameally necessary to be se to all foreign airlines, and whether the head of the (Israeli) Civil Aviation Authority has information that has not yet been disclosed to the public.
He also poied to the timing of the release of this message and said: This explanation was issued after the media revealed the message. Additionally, if it mea last weekend as Zakai says, it begs the question of why the message was se in the late hours of the day.
In this regard, German, Italian and Dutch airlines announced that they have canceled their flights to Israel. This action has been taken in the wake of increasing the alert level and the possibility of an American attack on Iran.
At the same time, Israeli airlines also eased the conditions for canceling and changing tickets by providing extensive facilities after warning about a “critical period” in the shadow of security tensions and fear of a possible escalation.
