Once again, we are being reminded that the single most offensive thing that Israelis can do (besides exist) is to try to protect themselves. In Europe, officials are forbidding El Al -- Israel's national airline -- from flying to certain airports. Their objection is that the airliners are equipped with a missile-defense system, to protect them from terrorists who might try to shoot down the planes.
The Europeans say that the defense system could cause injuries on the ground, either from diverted missiles or the flares the system ejects.
After all, the idea that terrorists would ever try to shoot down an El Al plane is simply ridiculous...
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War On Terror
Comments (13)
It is true that the flares ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by epador | May 21, 2006 11:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It is true that the flares can cause fire or injury if released, and given the timing necessary for successful deployment of the flares, the possibility of a false alarm and deployment of flares is real. Military aircraft are [or at least at some times in the past] also "prohibited" in some countries from arming their countermeasures for similar reasons.
Somehow, the death and destruction on the ground from a downed aircraft seems a bigger risk than the flares might offer. Typical EuropeanThink.
1. Posted by epador | May 21, 2006 11:09 AM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 11:09
2. Posted by Sabba Hillel | May 21, 2006 11:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Actually, the reason they are banning the planes is because the system might actually prevent a missile from hitting the plane. As a result, Israeli citizens (and Jews in general) would be saved, but the missiles would continue on and hit somewhwere else.
The Swiss cannot allow anyone (nonJewish) to be harmed just because some Jews want to continue to live.
Sabba Hillel
2. Posted by Sabba Hillel | May 21, 2006 11:15 AM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 11:15
3. Posted by Roger Fraley | May 21, 2006 11:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
So if a shoulder fired SAM hit and knocked down a fully loaded and fueled Israeli airliner, the flaming wreckage would magically stay up and not harm anyone or any property below its immediate flight line? Stupid Euros.
3. Posted by Roger Fraley | May 21, 2006 11:16 AM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 11:16
4. Posted by jpm100 | May 21, 2006 11:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I wondered if the European approach was an over-developed sensitivity to other cultures or just a startegy of laying prostrate before the Islamic Hordes.
I now know its the latter and that they begrudge anyone who behaves differently.
North Americans should acquire as much as they can about the heritage of Western Culture in Europe because soon North America will be the last place Western Culture exists because Europe is done.
4. Posted by jpm100 | May 21, 2006 11:45 AM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 11:45
5. Posted by Robert | May 21, 2006 12:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Europe is quickly becoming the graveyard of Western Civiliation.
5. Posted by Robert | May 21, 2006 12:33 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 12:33
6. Posted by cubanbob | May 21, 2006 12:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
US flag carriers are also at risk from Islamic terrorist. Would this mean that the Europeans would also ban US carriers if their planes were to be similarly protected in the future?
Somehow I don't think so.
6. Posted by cubanbob | May 21, 2006 12:43 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 12:43
7. Posted by ed | May 21, 2006 1:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hmmm.
It'll be interesting when American aircraft are required to have anti-missile systems.
7. Posted by ed | May 21, 2006 1:05 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 13:05
8. Posted by Geoff Palmer | May 21, 2006 2:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Gee, I wonder if the European genius who came up with this idea might also suggest to policemen not to wear a bullet proof vest, for fear that a deflected bullet might hit an innocent bystander.
8. Posted by Geoff Palmer | May 21, 2006 2:18 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 14:18
9. Posted by Gmac | May 21, 2006 3:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is a complicit acknowledgement by the European's that they aren't going to stop the attacks from happening.
9. Posted by Gmac | May 21, 2006 3:10 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 15:10
10. Posted by virgo | May 21, 2006 8:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I highly doubt the Aclu will allow American passenger jets to have a missle defense system as this would be to offensive to the peaceful Muslim community who would in effect be kept from their right to bear arms against our impressive regime.
10. Posted by virgo | May 21, 2006 8:14 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 20:14
11. Posted by Darleen | May 21, 2006 8:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Europe still expects Jews to act according to history...
Line up and march into the ovens without much protest.
El Al may wish to bypass much of EU soon anyway since they'll be Islamist "Republics" within a generation.
11. Posted by Darleen | May 21, 2006 8:20 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 20:20
12. Posted by Synova | May 21, 2006 9:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's sick, I know, but my science fiction writing evil twin just went... "armed passenger aircraft... how cool is that."
12. Posted by Synova | May 21, 2006 9:14 PM |
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Posted on May 21, 2006 21:14
13. Posted by John Anderson | May 22, 2006 1:59 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Anti-Israel? Or just more "Civilians should not be armed --- after all, if they are killed while unable to defend themselves, military and/or para-military [police] will bring body bags."
13. Posted by John Anderson | May 22, 2006 1:59 AM |
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Posted on May 22, 2006 01:59