Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Flew to Israel Tuesday to Prove Ben Gurion is the Safest Airport on the Planet - Now the FAA has Lifted the Ban on Flights to Israel

Teresa Neumann : Jul 24, 2014
Mike Bloomberg

"Ben Gurion is the best-protected airport in the world, and El Al flights have been regularly flying in and out of it safely. The flight restrictions are a mistake that hands Hamas an undeserved victory and should be lifted immediately." -Michael Bloomberg

(New York, NY) - On Tuesday, announcing that he would fly to Tel Aviv on Israeli El Al Airlines in defiance of the recent FAA ban, former NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg wrote: "This evening I will be flying on El Al to Tel Aviv to show solidarity with the Israeli people," he said, "and to demonstrate that it is safe to fly in and out of Israel. Ben Gurion is the best protected airport in the world and El Al flights have been regularly flying in and out of it safely. The flight restrictions are a mistake that hands Hamas an undeserved victory and should be lifted immediately. I strongly urge the FAA to reverse course and permit US airlines to fly to Israel." (Photo courtesy: mikebloomberg.com)

After having landed safely in Israel, Bloomberg met with Israeli leaders Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. The following is his official statement:

First, I want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for welcoming me here. He's been a great friend of New York City and America, as have the Israeli people.

I flew here to show solidarity with the Israeli people, who have come under attack from Hamas, and to show that it's safe to fly in and out of Israel.

I've always been a strong supporter of Israel. When New York City and the United States were attacked on 9/11, the people of Israel stood with us. They know what it's like to be attacked by terrorists, and they know that one of the best things you can do to defeat the terrorists is to refuse to stop living your life – to refuse to give in to the terrorists.

Halting flights here – when the airport is safe – hurts Israel and rewards Hamas for attacking Israel. Hamas wants to shut down the airport; we can't let that happen.

I'm a pilot – and I've always believed the FAA does a great job – and still do. But on this issue, I think the agency got it wrong.
Ben Gurion airport is the best protected airport in the world. It is safe and secure and flights from all over the world are landing here.

It was an overreaction for the FAA to halt U.S. flights here – and a mistake they should correct.

Israel – like every other nation – has a right to defend itself and defend its borders against those who cross it to attack it.

In the U.S., if hostile forces crossed over our border from Mexico or Canada, we would respond with overwhelming force to destroy those who are seeking to destroy us. Israelis should not be expected to live under the constant threat of rocket attacks without their government doing something about it.

The Obama administration has rightly made it clear that Israel has the right to defend itself – and I'm glad that Secretary Kerry flew here today to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

He was right to fly in, and I hope he will report back that the airport is safe and that the FAA should reverse its decision.

Today, I'll be visiting with some Americans who have been stranded here as a result of the FAA's decision, before flying home.

But let me just add: The attacks by Hamas are the cause of a lot of death and suffering both in Israel and Gaza, and my heart goes out to all the families that are affected. 

Thank you.

Mike Bloomberg