Israel Approves Limited Flights for Citizens Stranded in Dubai

Israel's Shin Bet security agency has granted temporary authorization for up to 30 chartered flights to bring Israeli travelers back from the United Arab Emirates, following a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight. The flights, operated by Israeli companies with foreign crews, aim to prevent Israelis from being stranded in Dubai during an investigation into Flydubai's security protocols. This measure is an exception, and regular flights for Israeli airlines to Dubai remain suspended.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev had initially called for a suspension of Flydubai flights, citing a potential breach of the air agreement between Israel and the UAE. She argued that the agreement stipulates only pilots from countries with diplomatic ties to Israel can operate flights to the country, and the co-pilot involved in the incident was reportedly from Oman, which lacks such ties.

Regev also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow Israeli airlines like El Al, Israir, and Arkia to resume services to Dubai with Israeli security checks. Currently, Flydubai is the sole carrier operating between the UAE and Israel. El Al has announced plans to restart its Tel Aviv-Dubai route in November, with at least two daily flights, pending approval from Israeli authorities.

The Shin Bet, led by David Zini, is working with the Mossad and the Ministry of Transportation to establish new security measures for Flydubai flights, as current UAE security checks are deemed insufficient. A specific control system for the UAE has yet to be finalized.