Tony Blair's close encounter with the Israeli air force

Posted By Joshua Keating Friday, May 23, 2008 - 12:20 PM Share

Apparently, Tony Blair was very nearly killed by Israeli fighter jets on Monday . Blair's pilots initially failed to respond to radio requests for identification when they entered Israeli airspace and the air force believed the private plane might have been part of a terrorist attack. Luckily the pilots did eventually respond and Blair was unaware that the event took place until later. A malfunction in the air force's early alert system is being blamed for the mix-up.

Israel should probably get the kinks worked out before the next time a former head of state flies through. Blowing up the international community's envoy to the Middle East might make negotiations a little awkward.

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL/PALESTINE, MILITARY

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SALEEM

12:16 AM ET

May 27, 2008

Blair correction

A minor quibble: Tony Blair was the head of government, Her Majesty is the head of state.

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