Gulf Insider

Israelis Complain US Military Has Turned Ben Gurion Airport Into ‘Its Own Base’

In a deep irony, Israelis are increasingly complaining the United States military has effectively taken over Israel’s international travel hub. Media reports this week are going so far as to call Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport a “US military base” – as the prominent local newspaper Haaretz does: The US refueling aircraft and other military assets, which have been stationed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for months, are causing congestion and may result in flight cancellations, Israeli officials and media reports have said, calling the facility a “US military base.” The report complains that “U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft have been stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport for three months, occupying parking spots, taking up takeoff and landing slots and worsening congestion at Israel’s main international gateway since the war with Iran erupted in late February, officials say.” Haaretz tallies that “Some 75 U.S. refueling planes occupy more than half of Ben-Gurion Airport’s parking spots and fill up takeoff and landing slots” and cites airport officials who warn: “For lack of a solution, 1.5 million passengers may have their flights canceled this summer.” Again, a central irony here is that it has largely been US military assets protecting Israel the whole […]