Genghis
"the state of Israel was founded in 1948"
Israel dates back to at least 2000BC. After the secession of Israel and Judea in 931BC. Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722BC. Judea was renamed Syria Palaestina in 135AD after tha unsuccessful revolt against the Romans. It is only the present, Independent State of Israel that was founded in 1948.
After Jacob had been renamed 'Israel', his descendents were known as the 'children of Israel'. Could this be the reason that this pilot stated his birthplace as Israel rather than whatever it was called at the time?
Airclues