From the article, "The hijackers deliberately sorted the hostages into two groups—Israeli nationals and others, or Jews and Gentiles." The Frenchman you mentioned lied to the hijackers, again, according to Wikipedia: "A 19-year-old Frenchman named Jean-Jacques Maimoni—who chose to identify himself as an Israeli Jew to the hijackers even though he had a French passport."
My mother converted to Judaism before I was born. I do not know if the Israeli courts would recognize that conversion. My case is weaker than some of the people profiled in this NY Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/magazine/02jewishness-t.ht...
Ah didn't see that about the French guy. The article isn't very explicit about this point, though if you look at the totals by nationality, there are 105 hostages (all Jews) and of them 92 are Israeli.
Also, if your mother converted to Judaism before you were born, you're 100% Jewish. The only potential sticking point would be if she was converted under Orthodox law. I am not familiar with the Rabbinate's position on that, but 99% of the Jewish world recognizes you as a Jew. Your case is quite strong as a matter of fact.
My mother converted to Judaism before I was born. I do not know if the Israeli courts would recognize that conversion. My case is weaker than some of the people profiled in this NY Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/magazine/02jewishness-t.ht...