El Al to Fly on Sabbath to Repatriate Israeli Reservists

Jerusalem, 12 October, 2023 (TPS) -- El Al, Israel’s national airline will operate during the Sabbath to repatriate Israeli reservists and rescue workers, the airline announced on Thursday.

The airline said the breaking in its decades-long policy received rabbinic approval in order to save lives.

El Al, Israel’s flagship carrier has not offered Sabbath flights since 1982.

Sabbath flights in 1982 sparked religious-secular controversy. The Knesset responded by passing legislation prohibiting El Al from operating during the Sabbath. El Al was state-owned at the time.

Reserve soldiers will be able to flying back to Israel on Saturday free of charge on flights leaving from New York and Bangkok.