El Al

On this day: Communist Bulgaria downs El Al flight 402, killing all 58 people onboard

On this day in 1955, Bulgarian MiG fighters brought down El Al Flight 402, killing all 58 people aboard and setting off a Cold War dispute over responsibility and justice.

 El Al Flight 402 - The Lockheed Constellation registered as 4X-AKC, pictured here in 1950.
EL AL’s Matmid credit card program has moved to Isracard. Here are the deadlines, benefits and steps cardholders should know to maintain their points accrual.

Does your card still earn EL AL points? Here’s what FLY CARD holders need to know

An El Al Boeing 737 takes off from Ben-Gurion Airport, March 5, 2026.

El Al suspends Tel Aviv-Moscow flights after long-range Ukraine strikes disrupt Russian oil sales

El Al and Latvian airline airBaltic launch a codeshare agreement, June 15, 2026.

El Al signs codeshare deal with Latvian flag carrier airBaltic, expanding northern European network


This week in Jewish history: Israel and Jordan end state of enmity

A highly abridged weekly version of Dust & Stars – Today in Jewish History.

 THEN-PRIME MINISTER Yitzhak Rabin and Jordan’s King Hussein shake hands, as then-US president Bill Clinton applauds, at the peace treaty signing ceremony at the border between the two countries, in 1994.

A gathering of exiles: Meeting Israelis stranded in Cyprus during the war with Iran - opinion

After 11 days of the forced stopover in Paphos, in the spirit of the Torah portion of “Shelach” (“Send”), I secured an El Al “lottery” ticket back home.

 A police officer patrols at Paphos International Airport in Cyprus.

Grapevine July 20, 2025: Lacking patriotism

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 FROM LEFT: Dr. Elliott Crooke, vice president for faculty , Georgetown University Medical Center; Joshua Rednik, CEO, American Friends of the Hebrew University; Prof. Gary Kupfer, MD, HU-GU partnership lead; Prof. Eli Pikarsky, dean, the Hebrew University, Dr. Anna Riegel

British low-cost easyJet extends suspension of Israel flights until 2026

This new extension by easyJet is the longest period of suspension by any foreign airline since the start of the war with Iran, but goes in line with the airline’s conduct.

An Easyjet airplane is towed at Linate Airport In Milan, Italy, May 2, 2024.

A disgraceful national carrier: El Al left many Israelis stranded - opinion

The government has the power to nationalize industries, particularly in times of crisis or when deemed strategically important.

 El Al aircraft

Turtle illegally smuggled onto El Al plane escapes, bites another passenger

The turtle was eventually captured by the flight crew and placed in a safe crate until the plane landed in Israel. 

Turtle illegally smuggled from US escapes on plane, bites passenger.

Chameleon First Response: Helping soldiers mentally return from the war zone

HEALTH AFFAIRS: Sean founded Chameleon First Response in the hope that no other soldier would lose his freedom or life over a situation that is avoidable.

 CHAMELEON FIRST RESPONSE founder Sean P. appeared on an episode of ‘Dr. Phil’ to discuss his organization’s work and the realities of life in Israel.

El Al resumes ticket sales to and from Israel following 12 day Iran war

Air France also announced the same day that flights between Paris and Tel Aviv will resume on Monday, July 7. 

El Al flight at Ben Gurion International Airport, May 13, 2025

El Al to operate flights to return Israelis at fixed prices as Ben-Gurion Airport reopens

The airline has fixed prices for inbound flights from a variety of locations, which are valid until the end of June.

 AN EL AL flight takes off from Ben-Gurion Airport. Israel is grappling with a profound social crisis, increasingly reflected in a growing wave of emigration. Yet, the global presence of Israelis holds significant value for Israel, the writer maintains.

'Enjoy your vacation': Miri Regev, the gov't hold Israelis in contempt - opinion

Once again, Israel's government was unprepared – not for the war, but for its consequences.

 TRANSPORTATION MINISTER Miri Regev holds a news conference in Tel Aviv last week. Asked about stranded Israelis, she replied: ‘You’re abroad. Enjoy your vacation.’ That is not leadership; that is contempt, the writer retorts.