“You saved my life!” she said, shaking his hand and thanking him. After 55 years, Roslynne finally came face to face with the pilot who prevented a catastrophe.
Roslynne was just 19 when she visited Israel, never imagining her flight home would make history. On September 6, 1970, aboard El Al Flight 219 from Tel Aviv to New York via Amsterdam, two terrorists attempted to hijack the plane. Acting quickly and using his combat training, the pilot, Captain Uri Bar-Lev, performed a dive maneuver that threw the attackers off balance, allowing an air marshal to intervene and prevent disaster.
Yesterday in New York City, 94-year-old Captain Bar-Lev reunited with Roslynne. She shared photos of her children and grandchildren and said they are all here today because of his heroism.
