By Laila Abdel-Hamid, IOL Correspondent

Cairo, April 6 (islamOnline) – Egyptian Pilots Association has called upon Minister of Aviation, Ahmed Shafiq, to halt all air flights to Tel Aviv as soon as practicable.

The call of the Egyptian pilots came in response to the brutal practices, committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian towns and people, said Ashraf El-Hawwary, head of the Egyptian Pilots Association.

“The Association had previously called upon Mohsen El-Messeiry, head of EgyptAir Operations Sector, and some Cairo airport officials to debate this fair demand, but got no answer. Hence, the Association resorted to the Minister of Aviation,” he added.

El-Hawwary reiterated that the desire of the Egyptian pilots to halt air flights to Tel Aviv is due to two main reasons; the first of which is their solidarity with the Palestinian people against whom the most repugnant crimes are committed daily. The second reason is represented in the threats they face due to the escalation of the situation and their reluctance to transport Israelis to and from Cairo.

Head of the Egyptian Pilots Association explained that the decision on halting air flights is due to be taken this week, particularly in light of increasing rage of the Egyptian people and the escalation of Israeli brutal crimes.

He expressed his hope that air flights would be stopped as soon as possible, as travelling to Tel Aviv represents a psychological pressure over the Egyptian pilots.

The head of the Egyptian Pilots Association said: “The Association will participate in the International Pilots Federation Annual Conference, due to be held in Norway between May 2-8, to discuss and probe developments of aviation industry the world over.”

“We demand that flights to Israel be halted in light of the circumstances surrounding the Middle East region due to the Israeli practices,” he added.

Egypt’s pilots demonstrated Thursday April 4, 2002, denouncing the Israeli practices against the Palestinian people.