Israel Tax Authority Linked to Warnings About Attacking Pilot

Following an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain and attempted to crash the plane, the Israel Tax Authority has confirmed that the National Center for Passenger Data Analysis (Mala"n) received the flight crew's information. Questions are now being raised about what details were shared with Israeli authorities regarding the crew and what checks were performed, especially concerning the co-pilot, which some are calling a security lapse. It remains unclear why no red flags were raised about the co-pilot, particularly as he reportedly did not hold dual citizenship. Typically, pilots with citizenship from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel are not permitted to fly there. Furthermore, recent reports indicate that several warning signs regarding the pilot had emerged, including his dismissal from a previous airline.

The Mala"n was established under a 2023 law to collect and analyze data on passengers and crew on international flights entering or leaving Israel. All airlines are required to submit flight details, passport information, and other data to the center. This information is stored in a secure database and used for purposes including counter-terrorism, aviation security, combating serious crime, immigration control, and public health. The data is accessible to security and law enforcement agencies, such as the Shin Bet and police, and is meant to be analyzed technologically to identify risks or unusual patterns before a flight lands or departs.