Israeli jets intercept Ethiopian airliner

TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Israeli Air Force jets scrambled Tuesday to intercept a civilian Ethiopian plane that approached Israel's airspace without identifying itself, officials said.

The Ethiopian plane, carrying some 200 passengers on its way to Israel, wasn't following safety regulations and did not identify itself, possibly because of a technical error in the plane's radio transmitter, Ynetnews reported.

Aviation officials told the Web site IAF pilots made eye contact with the Ethiopian pilot before he entered Israeli airspace, indicating he should identify himself. The pilot understood the instructions, made radio contact and was escorted to a safe landing in Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.