El Al Continues Racial Profiling at OR Tambo
Friday, 14 October 2011
The Media Review Network (MRN) and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) are profoundly disappointed at the apparent lack of decisive action by the SA authorities against officials of Israel’s national airlines, El Al, whose officers continue to harass the public and passengers at our primary airport.
On Thursday, 6th October 2011, three Arab-Israelis, travelling on Israeli passports, were returning home to Israel. They were on holiday in Cape Town. On the 2nd October 2011, their return flight dates had to be changed at a cost of $55 each. Their host, Mr. Yunus Allie, paid on line using his credit card for the change in schedule. This transaction was successfully completed and confirmed. On their arrival at O.R. Tambo, on the 6th October 2011, they had valid El Al tickets which would enable them to continue their onward flight to Tel Aviv. At the El Al counter they were interrogated for half an hour and their luggage thoroughly searched. They were then informed that there was a problem with the credit card they had initially used and they could not board the flight. This, despite their travel agent in Tel Aviv confirming the change of date as well as the validity of the tickets, which were issued on line.
The El Al people told them that, for security reasons they would not be allowed to board. At this point Mr. Allie was thoroughly annoyed with the arrogant and offensive treatment they had received. He found it most humiliating and embarrassing especially in the presence of other travelers and his three guests.
The inconvenience aside, the cost implications were huge. Overnight accommodation at the hotel, cost of re-routing with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and accommodation in Istanbul were all borne by Mr. Allie.
The Moosa Essop saga in March 2008, Alta Klein Incident in August 2011 and now this. In August 2009, a Carte Blanch expose’ in an undercover operation exposed the modus operandi of Israeli secret agents at O.R. Tambo.
The South African authorities, be they SAPS, Intelligence or International Relations, seem powerless to do anything about this. We ask: WHY? The activities of the Israeli Secret Service, Shin Bet, at O.R. Tambo International Airport are well known to our government. The MRN and the MJC demand that our Government explain to the SA public why the security at our main port of entry has been outsourced to the Israeli Secret Service, using their national airline El Al as their front.
For more information contact Mr. Yunus Allie at 0829671656
Issued By:
Ibrahim Vawda
Senior Researcher – Media Review Network
Tel: 012 374 6987
Cell: 072 295 0088
Email: webmaster@mediareviewnet.com
Sheikh Abdul Khaliq Allie
Secretary General – Muslim Judicial Council
Cell : 083 408 1071
Email: idaarah@mjc.org.za
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