President Herzog Criticized for Praising Flydubai Passengers Prematurely

The President of Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, is criticized for rushing to award heroism commendations to passengers of a recent Flydubai flight before a full investigation was completed. The author argues that a female passenger who first identified the danger in the cockpit was overlooked, and that the President should have waited for the initial inquiry. The article suggests Herzog was engaged in a competition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had also been publicly celebrating the passengers' bravery.

The Mossad is reportedly working around the clock to investigate the incident, which is described as an extreme event that narrowly avoided a major disaster. The article highlights the strong cooperation between the Mossad and the UAE, recalling a past Mossad operation that prevented an Al-Qaeda attack on an Emirates plane bound for Dubai. The author stresses the need for a thorough investigation into the intelligence surrounding passengers and flight crews, as well as a review of the Ministry of Transportation's security division, which is deemed to have failed in this instance.

The piece also touches on the IDF's efforts to improve its public relations and combat negative narratives, particularly concerning Hamas. It mentions the military's recent actions on multiple public relations fronts against accusations leveled at IDF soldiers.

Finally, the article addresses a personal grievance concerning the 401st Armored Brigade. The author's son was allegedly denied leave days by the brigade commander, Colonel Schneider, shortly before his discharge. The author criticizes Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for allegedly backing Schneider's decision, which leaves soldiers feeling unappreciated and resentful at the end of their service, suggesting this approach will hinder the IDF's long-term success in wars.