Pro-Palestinian activists disrupted an international flight from Egypt to Minnesota by standing in aircraft aisles, clapping, chanting, and displaying Palestinian flags while repeatedly ignoring flight attendant instructions to stop their behavior. Fellow passengers documented the mid-air demonstration that prevented crew members from conducting normal flight operations.

"Free Palestine" Hate-Group Breaks Rules Without Fear

These Are the Minnesota Protestors Humiliatingly Booted from Egypt

They burn Jews alive, murder civilians, break laws. As long as they say 'Free Palestine' after it's excused.

Time to label them a domestic terrorist org. pic.twitter.com/tU0yiXzEs3

— Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) June 30, 2025

"They started singing chants while flight attendants repeatedly requested they cease," a Twitter user reported. "These individuals are insufferable." The independent European news account Visegrád 24 stated, "They were removed from Egypt and created a disturbance on their return flight to the United States. They disregarded flight attendants who instructed them to stop singing about Palestine aboard the aircraft."

An Israeli social media user commented, "They proceeded to harass flight attendants who repeatedly asked them to take their seats. Every 'Free Palestine' movement deserves placement on the no-fly list."

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Wizz Air said it will operate flights to various destinations, including Bucharest, Rome, Milan, Abu Dhabi, Sofia, Warsaw, London, Katowice, Athens, Larnaca, Budapest, Vienna and more. The company's first flight today from Bucharest has already landed in Israel, and throughout Wednesday, additional flights are expected to land from other destinations such as Vilnius, Vienna, Budapest, London, Larnaca and more.

The return of the Hungarian budget carrier will expand flight options to and from Israel, which could affect ticket prices that are significantly impacted by supply versus demand. Another budget carrier expected to join in the coming months, possibly even by the end of March according to ticket sales on their website, is Ryanair. The combination of both airlines, if operating in Israel, alongside the return of legacy carriers, could significantly open up flight options from Israel to many destinations worldwide.

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Delta Air Lines has announced an extension of its flight suspension to and from Israel by more than a month, joining other major US carriers in prolonging service disruptions amid ongoing regional instability. This decision follows American Airlines' earlier announcement to cancel its Israel routes until March 2025, leaving El Al as the sole operator of direct flights between the United States and Israel.

Delta Air Lines issued an official notice to travel agents in Israel on Tuesday, confirming the cancellation of all its flights to and from the country through September 30, inclusive. The American aviation powerhouse had previously set August 31 as the end date for its service suspension but has now opted to extend the hiatus for an additional month.

With American Airlines' decision earlier this month, first reported by Israel Hayom, to suspend its Israel routes until March 29, 2025, and with United Airlines, the third major US carrier that typically serves Israel, halting its flights to the country indefinitely, El Al remains the sole airline operating direct flights between the US and Israel. These routes have seen increased demand following the Visa Waiver Program extended to Israeli citizens in October 2023.

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Four American Airlines flight attendants were injured during turbulence on a flight from Tampa to Charlotte and were hospitalized for evaluation, though the extent of injuries was not disclosed. The flight with 154 passengers landed safely.

Experts suggest turbulence incidents may be increasing due to climate change. Larger airplanes are less affected. Other airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, LATAM Airlines have also experienced severe turbulence, resulting in injuries and a fatality. Korean Air has stopped serving instant ramen as a precaution.

Turbulence is an irregular air motion caused by airflow disruption over the wing, which can lead to injuries or fatalities in severe cases. Airlines must prioritize safety by implementing measures to prevent and mitigate risks.

Sources: USA Today, Newsweek, New York Post, Fox News, USA News, iHeart, DimSum Daily

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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A somber discovery was made on an El Al flight from Bangkok to Tel Aviv when a 66-year-old passenger was found dead mid-journey. The tragic incident went unnoticed by fellow travelers for hours.

Yosef Dorfman, a ZAKA volunteer among the passengers, recognized the situation and managed the incident. Dorfman recounted, "Mid-flight, a child in the same row alerted the medical team to check on an unresponsive passenger. An onboard physician confirmed the death, and we promptly relocated the deceased to the plane's rear seats. We covered the body and maintained the dignity of the deceased until we landed at Ben Gurion Airport." ZAKA said that this marks the second time in the past year that Dorfman had to handle a death during a flight.

El Al, however, presented a different account: "The body wasn't discovered by a ZAKA volunteer, but rather when the crew attempted to wake the passenger for breakfast. Furthermore, the child seated next to the deceased didn't alert the crew; they noticed the situation while serving breakfast."

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An Egyptian pilot has recently died mid-flight, forcing the plane to be diverted.

On June 12, Captain Hassan Youssef Adas suffered a medical emergency while steering a Nesma Airlines flight from Cairo to Taif, Saudi Arabia.

وفاة #طيار_مصري اثناء تحليقه في رحلة من #القاهرة إلى #الطائف

•مساعد الطيار أعلن وفاة قائد الطائرة عبر مكبرات الصوت خلال تحليق الطائرة في الجو.

•وقال في إعلانه: «نعتذر لتغيير مسار الرحلة إلى مطار الملك عبد العزيز بجدة وذلك لوفاة أخي وصديقي قائد الطائرة كابتن حسن pic.twitter.com/7shmyV0f4Y

— أخر خبر (@LatestinKw) June 17, 2024

Video circulating on social media showed the moment the co-pilot announced Adas' death to the passengers over the plane's intercom while the aircraft was still airborne. "We apologize for diverting the flight to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah due to the death of my brother and friend, Captain Hassan, the pilot," the announcement said.

The aircraft was diverted and landed at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah. The flight later departed for its original destination.

Local media reports revealed that Adas was in his late thirties and unmarried. He had been experiencing health issues related to obesity.

The incident has garnered significant attention on social media platforms, with the video of the co-pilot's announcement trending in Egypt since June 17, several days after the actual event took place, as indicated by flight tracking data.

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"It's a miracle!" Jonathan Pollard cried two nights ago as he boarded the plane that would take him to Israel.

Thirty-five years after he was arrested by American law enforcement, Pollard fulfilled his life's dream and made aliyah in a secret mission that only a few people knew about. At 2:59 a.m. Wednesday, the plane's wheels touched down on the runway. Pollard recited the Shehecheyanu prayer. Later, he got off the plane, kneeled on the ground, and kissed it. His wife, Esther, who was right behind him, did the same.

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'In freedom and happiness'

Thus ends a 37-year-old espionage affair that shook up Israeli-US relations, for which Pollard himself paid the heavy price: seven years in solitary confinement, 23 years in prison, and five years of probation. This was the heaviest sentence ever handed down to a spy of his caliber in the history of the US.

Upon arrival in Israel, Pollard was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who worked hard for years to secure the release of the Israeli spy. Netanyahu also recited Shehecheyanu and added a blessing for the release of bonds. He then handed Esther and Jonathan their Israeli ID cards and told them, "How wonderful that you've come home. Now you can start a new life, in freedom and happiness. Now you're home."

Pollard thanked the prime minister for his efforts to get him released and for allowing the couple to make aliyah. "We are thrilled to finally be home after 35 years. We thank the people of Israel and the prime minister of Israel for bringing us home. There is no one prouder of this country, or its leader, than we are."

An apartment in Jerusalem

Pollard stressed that he and Esther intended to "become productive citizens as soon as possible and continue our lives here. This is a wonderful country. It has a brilliant future. It is the future of the Jewish people and we aren't going anywhere."

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Pollard's arrival in Israel was made possible after the Trump administration last month agreed to remove the last restrictions on him, effectively allowing him to leave the US. Since then, the couple and a group of volunteers were busy arranging their living situation in Israel. An apartment was prepared for them in Jerusalem, and they reached out to a hospital to continue Esther's cancer treatment. At the same time, generous Jews Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson lent the couple their private plane to allow them to arrive in Israel privately, with the necessary medical support. On Tuesday afternoon, the couple left their home in New York for the airport. Having suffered all his years in prison, and from attacks by US authorities, Pollard was tense. He was afraid that while en route to the airport, something would happen at the last minute that would delay the great moment.

Very exited

But when the two went through passport control and boarded the plane, his mood changed. He was very excited and told those around him, "It's a miracle." During the flight, Pollard joked with the crew and prayed. As the aircraft approached Israel, he was invited to the cockpit, from where he saw the Israeli coastline for the first time. Upon arrival, Jonathan and Esther Pollard entered the mandatory two-week quarantine. When it is over, they intend to find jobs in Israel and make use of the vast knowledge they have acquired over the years to benefit Israel.

Ariel Kahana contributed to this report.  

The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.

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The Finance Ministry is proposing that the airline sell shares worth $150 million, and the government will commit to buying any shares that are not purchased by the public, potentially becoming a controlling shareholder.

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If the state winds up becoming the controlling shareholder in the airline, EL AL will effectively be nationalized. The airline would have to solicit banks for the rest of the money $400 million it is seeking in government loans, but if the Treasury plan goes ahead, the government would guarantee up to 75% of those loans.

Currently, the idea – however intriguing – remains just that. The airline directors have not approved the proposal, nor has its union.  

If the plan is approved, the Treasury would also expect the airline to cut costs by $350 million per year. This would entail laying off some 2,000 employees, returning aircraft, and reducing the size of its fleet significantly. EL AL would also have to cut back on the number of its destinations, especially the less-profitable routes such as Manchester, Las Vegas, and Tokyo. Salaries and benefits for airline employees would also be affected.

In the event that the government is forced to purchase all the shares in EL AL, the airline would be managed by an independently appointed trustee who is not beholden to political interests. The government would not be able to instruct the trustee about how to manage the airline.

The government hopes that if EL AL survives the current crisis, its stock value will rise, generating more money.

The details of the proposal are expected to be arranged over the next few days. 

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Riki Rosen, a senior nurse in the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel was alerted by her husband to a commotion near her seat, as passengers tried to help a 50-year-old man who had collapsed by pouring water over him, unwittingly exacerbating his situation.

"My husband told me that someone had collapsed and people were pouring water over him," she told Israel Hayom. "Doing this is very dangerous because it can make him suffocate. I went over there, made sure to stop him from getting up and then we placed him in a row of seats and lifted his legs. These steps are important and they can be life-saving."

She said that after stabilizing his vitals, a physician from first class arrived and evaluated his condition. "I am glad everything turned out to be ok, it was not a pleasant scene," Rosen says.

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Prospective passengers can get a round-trip ticket for $1,199, with more expensive options in other cabin classes. The economy fare includes two pieces of checked luggage weighing up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds) each.

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El Al said the route will be inaugurated on a trial basis in April and will total three round-trip flights. A final decision on whether to continue operating this route will take place after assessing the popularity of the three flights. The final trial flight will depart Ben-Gurion International Airport on April 23 and arrive back on April 25.

The flight duration for the Tel-Aviv-Melbourne flight stands at just over 16 hours, whereas the return flight is expected to take almost 18 hours.

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