Israel lists first commercial passenger flight to UAE
Dubai: Israel has listed an El Al flight taking off Monday for Abu Dhabi, which would be Israel's first commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates after the two countries agreed to a US-brokered deal to normalise relations.
The website of the Israel Airports Authority listed the flight on Friday, which US officials earlier said will include officials led by President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Other US officials on board will include national security adviser Robert O'Brien, Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz and envoy for Iran Brian Hook.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier announced that his national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat, will lead Israel's delegation. A number of Israeli government ministries will also send representatives, including the directors of the foreign and defense ministries and the national aviation authority, he said.
The Israel Airports Authority said the flight would be numbered LY971, a nod to the UAE's international calling code number. A return flight to Ben Gurion International Airport on Tuesday will be numbered LY972, Israel's international calling code.
Authorities in Israel and the UAE did not immediately acknowledge the flight.
The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two countries agreed to normalise relations August 13. By August 16, telephone calls began ringing between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, marking the first concrete step of a US-brokered diplomatic deal between the nations that required Israel to halt plans to annex land sought by the Palestinians.
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T20 World Cup: India beat WI by five wickets to seal semifinal spot
Kolkata (PTI): Sanju Samson struck a magnificent unbeaten 97 as India beat West Indies by five wickets in a must-win Super 8 clash to book their semifinal berth at the T20 World Cup, here on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 195 for four, riding on contributions from Roston Chase (40), Shai Hope (32), Jason Holder (37 not out) and Rovman Powell (34 not out).
In reply, Samson produced a chasing masterclass, hammering 12 fours and four sixes in his scintillating 50-ball knock as India overhauled the target with four balls to spare.
He found solid support in Tilak Varma (27), Suryakumar Yadav (18) and Hardik Pandya (17), who ensured there were no late hiccups.
Jasprit Bumrah (2/36) was the pick of the Indian bowlers with two crucial wickets, while Jason Holder (2/38) and Shamar Joseph (2/42) also claimed two scalps for West Indies.
Brief score:
West Indies: 195 for 4 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 40; Jasprit Bumrag 2/36).
India: 199 for 5 in 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 97 not out; Jason Holder 2/38).
