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Friday July 19, 2002

U.S. investigating pilot in S.F. who blocked Israeli from plane

A National Airlines pilot in San Francisco refused to let Israel's consul general in New York, Alon Pinkas, board a New York-bou
The State Department is investigating.

After being told the diplomat would be coming on board, the pilot responded by screaming that he was afraid Pinkas' presence would endanger all the other passengers.

The pilot added that he would refuse to fly the plane if Pinkas came on board, Yediot Achronot reported.

Pinkas asked to be booked on a different flight with Continental Airlines, the newspaper said.

"It appears to be the case of one stupid guy and not a systemic problem," Pinkas said.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said it would file a formal complaint with National Airlines and demand that the pilot be disciplined.

Pinkas was in San Francisco last week to speak to the Commonwealth Club. Though he outlined many reasons to be pessimistic about Mideast relations, he said he remained optimistic that peace between Israelis and Palestinians would eventually come because "our geography dictates us living side by side."

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