Arab And Israeli Flight Simmers

By Mahmoud Fadli

The Middle East is a hot spot for politics, hatred and misunderstanding. Political pressures, poverty, dictatorship, and unlawful use of force are something that is frequently seen, experienced, and heard of by all in the region. The biggest issue apart from 9/11 and Iraq in the region is the Arab Israeli conflict.

It has affected the lives of thousands of Arabs and Israelis alike. Contrary to what we see and hear in the media, most Arabs and Israelis want nothing more than to live in peace with one another. However, politics, greed and hatred on both sides make it nearly impossible for a positive outcome to be achieved. However, there are many of us in the flight simulation community that see things otherwise. Flight simulation has given us the opportunity to converse with Israelis, and Israelis with Arabs, and try and bridge the cultural, political and social barriers between us to help develop an understanding of one another.

It was not too long ago on VATSIM that I was piloting an Arabian Airlines flight into Beirut when I came into contact with an El Al Virtual flight inbound for Tel Aviv. I was a little reluctant to contact the flight, but nonetheless I said hello since he was the only other aircraft in the area at the time. After exchanging positions, we began to talk causally amongst one another. It turned out that the person was a military officer in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force). We began to talk about the politics in the area, and how things are looking extremely bad. When exchanging our rather different points on the politics of the issue, we respectfully concluded that we just want peace and to get along. He also told me things about Israelis which I found to be rather 'cool' and similar to that of us Arabs.

Now under "normal" circumstances, I would have not been able to just talk to an IDF soldier, not alone an officer. I would more than likely be afraid of them. However, these "un-normal" set of circumstances gave me the opportunity and idea to do this segment. So, I contacted Mr. Ari Baruch, who is the President and CEO of El Al Virtual Airlines, and asked for his opinion on the relations between Israeli and Arab flight simmers online. I asked him three questions:

1) Has there even been an instance where you've talked to a flight simmer who happened to be Arab? If so, how did it go?

2) Was there ever a time you've been harassed by a flight simmer (in terms of this issue)?

3) Have you learned and or gained understanding about people through these experiences? If so, what?

To these questions, he responded that "I have crossed paths with several Arab flight simmers and each time the meeting has been very friendly and professional. I have not personally been harassed by ANY simmer, regardless of nationality nor am I aware of any questionable behavior aimed at any of my pilots. Since the encounters have been very brief and were not taken as "chat" sessions there really has been no greater insight gained in regards to the people I have encountered."

Mr. Baruch has a very valid point in his mention of the "chat" sessions. Noting that in my head, I continued reading his answers. He also went on to state that "if the real-world could be as unthreatening as our virtual skies life for all would be far better off. This however is an unreal expectation. Our virtual world is governed by virtual rules and separating yourself from another is as easy as disconnecting from the server. In the real-world we must be able to communicate face-to-face and be able to disagree without violence." Yet another valid point he brought up. However, still jotting that down in my head, I continued to read on. His answers really had me interested in what he had to say, as his opinion and point of view was something I admire and respect. Continuing, he stated that "the problems that plague our peoples are rooted far deeper than most are aware of and it will take far greater measures than any have dreamed of to solve them. At heart I believe that most Israelis and Arabs would like nothing more than to live their lives in peace. But there are those among us (on both sides) that can only survive in the midst of chaos and strife. It is unfortunate that the real-world cannot learn its lesson from our virtual world."

Indeed our virtual world holds lessons that the real world can learn from and incorporate. I also emailed the CEO of Israel Airlines, however, I have not heard from him regarding this editorial.

In addition to Mr. Baruch, I interviewed Mr. Ala Edeen-Herzallah, the CEO of Palestinian Virtual Airlines, which is currently in development. Mr. Herzallah has had quite a few experiences online with Israeli flight simmers on VATSIM, both questionable and positive. For question number one, his answer intrigued me greatly. He stated that "At one time I was flying from Cyprus to Gaza, and went by procedure to go through Cairo Airspace, pass through NADOL and land at RWY 1 at LVGZ. LLLL_CTR tried to contact me and he began giving me unusual instructions. He explained he has been a controller since the days of SATCO and that he knew what he was doing. I simply explained that at my current position I was way out of his airspace, and I wouldn't be going into his airspace because HECC_CTR stretches out over the Gaza Strip. And I talked it over with real Palestinian pilots who explained Israel would only be contacted if there was a missed approach (b/c LLLL CTR would be aware of PA flights). I told him if it was necessary for me to follow his procedure I would not object. He never replied so I continued as planned with no more objections. I tell my pilots to hold a positive and polite interaction with anyone including Israel control because there are people who just want to fly and have fun, and to get away from real life stress." Herzallah also stated that "I remember at another time, an Israeli controller contacted me and simply said I was in control at my position, and wished me the best of luck with traffic. I thanked him, and that was it."

For the most part, all encounters between Arab and Israeli flight simmers have been friendly and cooperative, as should be expected in flight simulation. Herzallah concluded his answers with "I haven't been around Israelis much in my life, but I've lived with Jews for a great deal of time. Many think Jews and Arabs are totally against each other and that's untrue. In Israel and Palestine, there are Jews who consider themselves Palestinian and against Israeli occupation, other Jews worldwide have similar feelings where what Israel is doing should be changed. So with that cleared up, I know there are Israelis who just want to get away from real life stress and have a relaxing flight. And I know there are people flying in the region who believe Arabs and Israelis should ignore real life problems and join hands in the virtual aviation world, and I totally agree with these people. Let's make online flying peaceful and fun all over the world. Unfortunately Palestinian Virtual Airlines has had to go through experiences that are in the real world, it's more realistic, but not very welcoming. Hopefully this will change in the future, because I know there are people who want to get along."

The flight simulation community is at an all time low. Many people have forgotten what blessings we have in front of us, even if they are controlled by a server. We have the opportunity to educate ourselves about one another, and respect one another. We can talk about politics; we can make our opinions heard, but only in the appropriate way, form, and with respect. We are people, nothing more, nothing less. We can be captains, flight officers, virtual CEOs, webmasters, programmers, military commanders, flight attendants or maintenance personnel, but regardless, we are all human. We breathe the same air and bleed the same red blood. Some of us "can only survive in the midst of chaos and strife," and that my friends are a very small minority. Arabs and Israelis alike should begin to converse with one another, let each other know who we are, and who they are. Let us converse about politics with one another in our own time, but with respect, regardless of each others views. It may not be an easy task, but if we can learn to understand one another virtually, the applications that can have in real life for the present and future are priceless.

With all this said, I would like to leave you with one thought. There are many in this community who want nothing more than to create a flame war. There are many in this community who like to get on peoples nerves, and create chaos and detest with one another. But there are people who want to combat that with unity, understanding and respect. There are people who want to get along, and who want to teach others, enjoy their fight simulator game, and make new friends just like myself. You must ask yourself, the flame wars, the disrespectful politics, and people cursing one another because their views are different; what's the point? The world is such a big place, and wherever you go you will find hatred and disrespect both online and in reality, and I know this for a fact. Let's make the flight simulation community stand out; let's make this fun again, and let's learn about each other and respect each other, that way, we can all get along.

I know there may possibly be many people who have an opinion on this article, and who may want to comment. I encourage and invite all people to comment on this. At the moment I am in Amman, Jordan, and my internet is rather slow. If possible, please email me your comments at maki@asquaref.com and I will reply to you as soon as possible. I'll also do my best to reply to any and all comments in the outer marker forum (flightsim.com). Thank you for reading this, and I hope you have learned something from this article.

Helpful Links:

El Al Virtual Airlines

Arabian Airlines Virtual Aviation

Mahmoud Fadli
maki@asquaref.com

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