Jet Attack Tip From Mossad

VIPs Aboard T.O. El Al Flight

October 29, 2003
By Tom Godfrey, Toronto Sun

Canadian security officials yesterday revealed details of the threatened terror attack on an Israeli passenger jet enroute to Pearson airport last week. While the El Al Boeing 767 was in the air Thursday, Mossad agents in Tel Aviv notified airport and Canadian security agents that al-Qaida operatives were planning to attack the jet with a surface-to-air rocket, officials said.

"The tip originated from the Mossad," one senior federal official said, speaking on condition they remain anonymous. "They believed it was very credible threat."

Police suspect the heat-seeking missile was to have been fired at the descending aircraft from a van or truck on either Hwys. 427, 27, 401 or 403, the officials said.

FROM VEHICLE

They aren't sure if the rocket was to have been fired from a moving vehicle or one parked on the shoulder of the highway.

An intense police search of area highways failed to turn up the rocket launching pad, the officials said.

The jet, with 180 passengers on board, was diverted first to Montreal and then to Hamilton, where passengers were escorted by police to Toronto.

The jet then continued its regularly scheduled flight to Los Angeles.

SPECIAL TARGET

Officials said the attack was aimed at that specific flight because certain unidentified Israeli military or government members were on board.

"We suspect there were potential targets on the flight that particular day," one official said.

"The airline never releases the names of its passengers."

Another El Al flight last Friday was also rerouted from Pearson. Flights resumed on Sunday.

El Al Canadian manager Stanley Morais refused to comment on the threat but said things have returned to normal.

"We always take precautions to ensure the safety and security of passengers," Morais said yesterday.

"We continue to fly from Canada and all our flights are full."

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