Israel's Transportation Ministry Failed to Secure Foreign Flights, Report Reveals

An internal National Security Council (NSC) document has revealed significant failures by the Ministry of Transportation in securing foreign flights to Israel, according to a report by Galei Tzahal (Army Radio). Professional staff within the ministry reportedly opposed taking on the responsibility, but Minister Miri Regev supported the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately making the decision.

The NSC document details how the Ministry of Transportation has not fulfilled its assigned duties regarding the security of foreign flights, despite prior warnings. This occurred after security officials within the ministry's security department strongly objected to assuming responsibility, citing a lack of necessary capabilities. The issue stems from a July 2021 decision by the Political-Security Cabinet to transfer responsibility for securing foreign flights from the Shin Bet to the Ministry of Transportation. Previously, the Shin Bet was also responsible for the security screening of foreign flight crews arriving in Israel.

The Cabinet's decision stipulated that the Civil Aviation Authority within the Ministry of Transportation would verify that security directives in foreign countries met international treaty requirements. However, the NSC document states that the Ministry of Transportation has not acted in accordance with this decision. This is reportedly one of the shortcomings highlighted in a secret, classified report by the State Comptroller in May 2024.

Following the Comptroller's report, the Political-Security Cabinet decided on May 23, 2024, to establish a team, including the Ministry of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the Ministry of Finance, to review civil aviation security for Israel and recommend changes. During this year-long process, the NSC and Shin Bet pushed for the Ministry of Transportation to accept security responsibility for foreign flights. The Shin Bet cited a lack of resources and budget for this task.

However, professional staff within the Ministry of Transportation vehemently opposed the transfer. Avri Cohen, Director of the Security Department, argued in internal discussions that the responsibility was too great and that a dedicated security body was needed given Israel's high threat levels. A source familiar with the discussions told Galei Tzahal that the entire professional team, except for the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority, Shmuel Zakai, strongly opposed the transfer, warning Minister Regev it would be a grave mistake. Despite significant disagreements, Minister Regev, Director General Ben Zaken, and Director Zakai proceeded, with Netanyahu eventually ruling in favor of transferring the responsibility to the Ministry of Transportation and Minister Regev in mid-2025.

According to the report, even after assuming responsibility, the Ministry of Transportation's security department has not once contacted the Shin Bet or Mossad for assistance with security screening or investigations of flight personnel or passengers. The Shin Bet and Mossad have also not taken on broader responsibility. A source involved criticized the security agencies, stating they were aware of the Ministry of Transportation's deficiencies and lack of capacity, questioning how they relinquished responsibility. The NSC had already warned in March 2025 that the Ministry of Transportation was not fulfilling its duties and was acting contrary to the Cabinet's decision. The report indicates that the required oversight to ensure foreign airlines comply with international agreements and do not send crew members from countries with which Israel has no diplomatic relations has not been conducted.