The This Day in Islamic Terrorism series continues with February 21, 1970.
A Swiss Air flight 330 from Zurich bound for
Tel Aviv was bombed in mid-air nine minutes after takeoff by the PFLP
General Command, a PFLP
splinter group. Forty-seven innocent souls lost their lives to Islam,
15 of whom were Israelis. The bomb, placed in the cargo hold, was
triggered by a change in atmospheric pressure. While the crew attempted
to turn the plane back to the airport, smoke in the cockpit and the
loss of electrical power thwarted their efforts.
While
the PFLP-GC initially claimed responsibility, when it became obvious
the civil people the world over were repulsed by their crime, they
disclaimed it. It was as if their words meant something.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) was established in April 1968 by Ahmed Jabril. At the time, he was a member of the PFLP, the PLO, and a captain in the Syrian Army. He was a good Muslim jihadist, who wanted to focus more on terrorism and less on politics. As such, the PFLP-GC exists to perpetuate armed insurrection against Israel. Their logo describes their purpose and their methods. Israel is painted entirely in Islamic green with crossed assault rifles superimposed over the nation.
On the same day, a bomb exploded aboard a Vienna-bound Caravelle after takeoff from Frankfurt. The Caravelle landed safely.
Also read, Islam on this Day.
