Missile Threat Apparently Came From Within Canada

An Israeli El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Toronto was diverted -- not once, but twice -- before it landed safely at its destination last week. Now, Canadian officials are offering short explanations as to why.

"It was a serious threat," an anonymous Pearson airport official told the Toronto Sun. "We understand the target was to be attacked on the tarmac." The phoned-in threat was made from somewhere in the Toronto area. The caller reportedly said the attack would involve a heat-seeking SAM. Police are now reportedly trying to trace the call, but are still unsure whether it came from a pay phone or a cell phone.

CTV reports the aircraft was first diverted from Toronto to Montreal. But after it was airborne, the network reports the flight was diverted to Hamilton on a tip from Israeli security officers. When the flight landed at John C. Munro Airport, its 193 passengers were met on the ramp by tactical police officers.

Transport Minister David Collenette said an investigation is underway.  "The matter is now being investigated by the RCMP, CSIS, Transport Canada and the Peel regional police."

Collenette wouldn't tallk about the threat, other than to say it was "specific to the El Al flight." The El Al flight runs three times each week from Israel's Ben Gurion airport, on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then continues to Los Angeles.

Because of the threat, two other El Al flights were diverted, including a second El Al aircraft bound for Pearson last Friday. Security for the Israeli airline carrier includes armed guards at check-in, on-board marshals and extensive luggage searches. An El Al flight did land early Sunday without incident.

FMI: www.elal.co.il