Egyptian pilot sparks Israeli backlash with video of El Al plane and Sadat speech

An Egyptian pilot has responded to angry Israeli comments after posting a video showing an Egyptian aircraft next to an Israeli plane at an Italian airport, accompanied by an excerpt from a speech by the late Egyptian president Anwar El Sadat.

The video shows the Egyptian aircraft taxiing at the airport, with an Israeli civilian aircraft nearby. It features an audio excerpt from Sadat’s speech during the October 1973 War, in which he said: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and depth for depth.”

The video prompted comments from Israeli social media users, particularly as it was posted following an incident involving Dubai-based airline flydubai. Some interpreted it as carrying a political message or threat, while the Egyptian pilot said it was intended to celebrate Egypt’s national airline and mark the anniversary of the October War victory.

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In a subsequent clarification, the pilot said he was simply a fan of Egypt and took pride in its national airline. He stressed that the video contained no threat or insult towards anyone and was intended solely to commemorate the October War victory and honour the late president Anwar El Sadat.

He also stressed his respect for civil aviation safety, saying the aviation sector prioritises everyone’s safety regardless of nationality or race, and that the video was not intended as a threat.

Writing on his Instagram account, the pilot said: “The video was filmed at an airport in Italy. I am simply a supporter who takes pride in the presence of our national airline, nothing more. There is no threat or anything of the sort, just a celebration and a commitment to aviation safety in general. No one would dare do anything to jeopardise civil aviation safety anywhere in the world.”

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