Fact Check: "The plane brought Noam Katz to Athens after commercial air traffic to and from Tel Aviv airport was suspended following Israel’s massive attack on Iran."
What We Know
Recent events have escalated tensions between Israel and Iran, culminating in a significant military exchange. Following an Israeli attack on Iranian military targets, Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Tel Aviv, prompting the suspension of commercial air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (Washington Post). In light of this situation, Israel's Ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, was flown to Athens on a special government-arranged flight, as confirmed by a senior Greek government official (Ekathimerini).
The aircraft used for this flight is known as the "Wing of Zion," which is typically designated for official travel by Israel's President and Prime Minister (Anews). The closure of Ben Gurion Airport was a direct consequence of the ongoing military operations and missile threats from Iran, which have led to heightened security measures and a halt in commercial flights (Arab News).
Analysis
The claim that "the plane brought Noam Katz to Athens after commercial air traffic to and from Tel Aviv airport was suspended following Israel’s massive attack on Iran" is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The Washington Post outlines the context of the military actions and the resulting suspension of flights, while Ekathimerini provides confirmation of the special flight arranged for Ambassador Katz due to the closure of the airport.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting on international affairs. The information is corroborated by additional reports from Anews and Arab News, which further detail the circumstances surrounding the flight and the broader military context.
Conclusion
The claim is True. The evidence confirms that Noam Katz was indeed flown to Athens on a special flight due to the suspension of commercial air traffic at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, which was a direct result of the military actions between Israel and Iran. The sources used to verify this claim are credible and provide a coherent narrative of the events leading to the flight.
Sources
- Iranian missile attack hits Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli ...
- Israeli presidential aircraft in Athens FIR amid Tel Aviv ...
- Netanyahu's official aircraft lands in Athens
- Netanyahu's official aircraft lands in Athens
- Netanyahu's official aircraft lands in Athens - US Muslims
- Israel's state plane, Wing of Zion, departs for Athens
- After Israel strikes Iran, airlines divert flights, airspace closed
- May 4: IDF chief said warning Israel 'could lose' Gaza ...