Swiss media report that the local air force escorted an El-Al plane after receiving notice of a bomb threat aboard the jet. The flight was traveling from New York to Tel Aviv.
It is believed that French authorities informed Switzerland of the threat, after which two Swiss fighter jets were dispatched to accompany the plane from the French border until it left Swiss airspace.
The Israeli Foreign Minister released a statement noting: “A few minutes ago an incident was reported in which an El Al passenger plane was allegedly intercepted over Switzerland. Of course, the report was inaccurate. The plane is fine and on its way to Israel.
“After checking with El Al, the situation is thus: US air traffic authorities received an anonymous message about an explosive in the plane’s cargo hold. The Americans updated the Swiss authorities (when the plane entered Swiss airspace) and the latter scrambled fighter jets to escort the plane. An investigation confirmed that the plane is ‘clean’ and it is continuing on its planned flight path.”