Investigation into Foreign Pilots with Enemy State Citizenship Landing in Israel

Authorities are investigating suspicions that pilots with dual citizenship, including from enemy states like Iran, Syria, and Iraq, have landed in Israel in recent years. Israeli officials are currently unable to question Al-Mammi and are relying on reports from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. There is concern that other pilots with similar backgrounds might pose a security risk, prompting an international effort to identify them.

Failures in Israel's security system are being examined, including the fact that no Israeli entity was aware of Oman's decision to ground Al-Mammi or his religious radicalization. The Ministry of Transport's Security Department reportedly did not supervise foreign airlines' background checks on their pilots, instead relying on the airlines' own reports. Intelligence agencies, including the Mossad and Shin Bet, allegedly did not conduct ongoing intelligence monitoring of foreign pilots arriving in Israel. The co-pilot had also reportedly photographed El Al and Arkia planes in Dubai and shared posts supporting Al-Qaeda operatives.

Despite the Shin Bet chief's earlier ban on Israeli airlines flying to Dubai due to security checks, no action was taken regarding pilots on foreign flights. Meanwhile, Yaniv Hayoun, an Israeli passenger who helped thwart the attempted crash, recounted the terrifying moments on a television program, describing how he was thrown to the floor as the plane dived and struggled to reach the cockpit.