Thousands of Egyptian Christians to Visit Israel for Coptic Easter

JAFFA, Israel – Thousands of Egyptians Christians are expected visit Israel for the Coptic Easter this weekend, as Air Sinai inaugurated on Thursday an airlift of more than 30 flights on its Cairo-Tel Aviv route.

Air Sinai expects to fly 6,000 Copts on its five daily flights over the coming days, up from 4,000 last year, in addition to another 5,000 people who will travel via Jordan. The Egyptian media reported that more are likely to come from other parts of the world.

On Thursday, Breitbart Jerusalem reported on extra precautions being taken by Israeli security forces ahead of holiday celebrations. Over 3,500 police officers from a range of units will reportedly be deployed throughout the capital, with an emphasis on the Old City, where large-scale ceremonies will be held.

Meanwhile, a delegation of American security experts have reportedly arrived in Egypt to review security arrangements at the Cairo Airport.

Tareq Zaki, Egyptair’s chief security officer, said that the four experts are focusing on security measures for passengers and cargo especially in the area where flights leave for New York.

In addition, Zaki said, they will review the electronic security arrangements, such as surveillance of passengers and luggage.

The visit comes in the wake of the hijacking of an Egyptair flight to Cyprus last month, and the midair bombing of the Russian Metrojet aircraft over Sinai last year.