Questions Mount Over Security Failures Allowing Radical Pilot to Fly to Israel

A Flydubai flight to Israel narrowly avoided disaster, raising serious questions about security lapses involving the pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hamami, an Omani citizen. Despite being dismissed from previous airlines due to radical views, al-Hamami was cleared to fly to Israel, prompting an investigation into how this "breach" in security occurred. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acknowledged the security gap, and authorities are examining how a citizen of a country without official ties to Israel was permitted to pilot a plane to Tel Aviv. Initial theories that al-Hamami held dual citizenship to bypass restrictions were not confirmed.

Further details reveal al-Hamami was removed from flying duties at Oman Air in 2024 after extremist materials were found and he was transferred to an administrative role. Reports suggest he was influenced by radical jihadist ideas, particularly during extensive stays in Syria, and that Omani authorities were aware of his views and travels. It remains unclear if Flydubai was aware of his dismissal from Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, where his employment history, including a short tenure and dismissal, was reportedly available on his LinkedIn profile.

Investigations are also focusing on the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency. The head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, had previously warned about insufficient security measures on flights from the UAE. While the Shin Bet's direct oversight is primarily for Israeli airlines, its warnings about general security levels on flights from the Emirates to Israel are now under scrutiny. Despite these concerns, Zini did not reportedly demand a halt to flights from the UAE.

The incident has highlighted a lack of a centralized system for flagging pilots influenced by radical ideologies. A 2023 Knesset law requires airlines to submit passenger and crew data to Israel, but the article questions whether pilot data was adequately utilized. The Ministry of Transport stated it does not conduct intelligence-based background checks on foreign pilots but is responsible for assessing the security of foreign flights entering Israeli airspace.

Questions also linger regarding a May 2024 State Comptroller report that identified security issues in international air travel to and from Israel, including recommendations for improved inter-agency coordination. The report, parts of which were classified, had called for a review of aviation security policies, some dating back to the 1970s. Knesset members have called for an urgent session with the Shin Bet chief to discuss the alleged prior warnings about security problems on flights from the UAE.