Jabri then turned to Jordan, seeking permission to land there. Once again, his request was denied. King Hussein of Jordan, aware of the potential diplomatic fallout, alerted Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin about the situation, warning him that the hijacked plane might attempt to enter Israeli airspace.
With options rapidly running out and the plane dangerously low on fuel, Jabri was forced to consider landing in Israel, a move that would have significant repercussions given the hostile relations between Iran and Israel.
Israel’s Dilemma: To Land or Not to Land
As the hijacked Boeing 707 approached Israeli airspace, the situation became increasingly tense. The Israeli government was faced with a difficult decision: allow the plane to land and deal with the consequences, or deny entry and risk the plane crashing due to a lack of fuel. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, understanding the gravity of the situation, ultimately decided to permit the plane to land, albeit with stringent conditions.