Iranian Muslim converts to Judaism

JERUSALEM: An Iranian Muslim flight attendant who hijacked an Iranian airliner and flew it to Israel 12 years ago has converted to Judaism, an Israeli newspaper reported on Friday.

“Despite the difficulties I have faced obtaining Israeli citizenship, you have warmly welcomed me,” Reza Jabari was quoted as telling the Maariv daily. “Morally I feel indebted towards you. For this reason I decided to convert.”

On September 19, 1995, Jabari, who was a flight attendant for Iranian carrier Kish Air, hijacked a flight between Tehran and the Iranian resort island of Kish. He diverted the airplane and its 174 passengers to Israel, where he told authorities he had hijacked the plane because he was desperate to flee Iran and never had any intention of harming the passengers or crew. afp

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