Israel barred the entry of a Turkish Airlines captain Friday night, after he was found to hold an Iranian passport, Channel 2 reports Saturday. 

Ankara asked for special permission to allow the captain to stay for one night, but was denied by the Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet), based on fears of establishing a precedent. 

The captain was barred from leaving the airport after authorities discovered he was an Iranian citizen.

Turkish Airlines have deemed the incident a “mistake.” 

Turkish Airlines announced they would begin hiring Iranians 18 months ago due to a shortage of pilots. 

The airline committed, at the time, to ensure that those pilots would not fly to or from Israel.