However, Israeli military officials, including General Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, opposed this approach, emphasizing that Israel’s policy was not to assist hijackers or to exploit such incidents for political gain. Ultimately, the Israeli government decided to return the passengers and the plane to Iran, but they refused to hand over Reza Jabri.
Reza Jabri’s Fate: From Hijacker to Israeli Citizen
Reza Jabri’s fate took a dramatic turn after his capture. He was tried in an Israeli court and sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of hijacking, illegal possession of a weapon, and illegal entry into Israel. Despite the severity of his crimes, Jabri’s actions and his subsequent treatment in Israel attracted considerable attention.
During his imprisonment, Jabri made the surprising decision to convert to Judaism. His conversion, along with his request for political asylum in Israel, highlighted his deep disillusionment with the Iranian regime and his desire for a new life. After serving his sentence, Jabri was granted Israeli citizenship in 2007, a move that further exacerbated tensions between Iran and Israel.