Israel’s Transportation Ministry blocks El Al planes from leaving for Nigeria’s capital Abuja, citing terrorist threats. A Tourism Ministry tries to mediate.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A plan by 28,000 Nigerian pilgrims to visit Israel has been put on hold after the Security Department at Israel’s Transportation Ministry barred El Al planes leased to Nigeria Airways from flying to the country’s capital Abuja for fear of terrorist threats.

Rafi Ben Hur, a senior deputy director-general at the Tourism Ministry, said however that he was optimistic the Israeli government would eventually allow the thousands of pilgrims into the country.

“We are meeting with the Nigerian ambassador this evening and with the organising team on Sunday. I’m sure we will be able to work out a solution. We do not plan to give up on these groups, their visits mean too much for us,” Ben Hur said.

“Twenty-eight thousand people visiting Israel for 10 days contribute a great deal to the tourism industry and the national economy,” he explained.

Both El Al and the Transportation Ministry declined to comment on the issue.

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• nigeria
• christian
• pilgrims
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• land
• terrorist
• threats