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Israeli row over no-fly zone for supermodel's wedding | Israeli row over no-fly zone for supermodel's wedding |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A request by Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli to close the air space over her wedding venue has sparked a row between the country's transport minister and the civil aviation authority (CAA). | A request by Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli to close the air space over her wedding venue has sparked a row between the country's transport minister and the civil aviation authority (CAA). |
The CAA had agreed to close the skies over the hotel in northern Israel. | The CAA had agreed to close the skies over the hotel in northern Israel. |
But Transport Minister Yisrael Katz then threatened to sack the CAA boss if he did not overturn that decision. | |
In the end, the skies stayed open to all air traffic during Thursday's wedding, the Jerusalem Post reported. | |
Other Israeli media earlier said that a no-fly zone remained in place. | |
The 30-year-old Refaeli, Israel's most famous supermodel, is marrying billionaire Israeli businessman Adi Ezra at the Carmel Forest resort near Haifa. | |
According to Israeli media reports, the couple were planning to have five drones, two helicopters and an observation balloon circling the venue, some for photographic purposes. | |
The CAA initially agreed to the couple's request for a ban, citing safety reasons. | |
But Mr Katz on Sunday overturned that decision saying: "The skies belong to all Israeli citizens and we can't offer special treatment for this event over other events." | But Mr Katz on Sunday overturned that decision saying: "The skies belong to all Israeli citizens and we can't offer special treatment for this event over other events." |
Israeli pilots had also objected to the ban. | Israeli pilots had also objected to the ban. |
Two days later, according to Israeli media, the CAA, appearing to disregard Mr Katz's comments, announced a no-fly zone would be in place for safety reasons from 17:00 on Thursday to 02:00 on Friday. | Two days later, according to Israeli media, the CAA, appearing to disregard Mr Katz's comments, announced a no-fly zone would be in place for safety reasons from 17:00 on Thursday to 02:00 on Friday. |
Mr Katz reportedly told CAA chief Joel Feldschuh: "If the skies are not open above Bar Refaeli's wedding - you will be removed from your post." | |
On Thursday evening the transport ministry told The Jerusalem Post that the skies had stayed open to all air traffic. |