Israel Security Agencies Clash Over Flydubai Crew Vetting Failure

Tensions are escalating between Israeli security agencies following a near-catastrophic security lapse on a Flydubai flight, with authorities now investigating the precise point of failure. The incident, which occurred on Flydubai flight 1037, has sparked sharp debate over who was responsible for vetting the flight crew and why information about a potential threat was not acted upon. According to Avi Ashkenazi writing for Maariv, various security officials point to the Ministry of Transport's security department as the entity that may have committed a critical error. This department is tasked with operating as a professional unit under the Director General of the Ministry of Transport and Minister Miri Regev.

A 2023 law aimed to clarify responsibilities within Israel's civil aviation security system, ensuring each agency had access to necessary information without overstepping into others' domains. The law designated the customs service as the body responsible for collecting and analyzing flight and passenger data through a newly established National Passenger Data Analysis Center. This center is empowered to request advance passenger and crew information from airlines for flights entering or leaving Israel.

The National Center is mandated to continuously share this intelligence with various government bodies. The police receive data on criminals and individuals requiring interrogation, as well as information on potential drug or illicit fund movements. The Shin Bet (Shabak) is to receive information on all Israeli passengers and crew members on flights to Israel and is also responsible for vetting foreign crews on flights registered as Israeli but operated by foreign aircraft and personnel, often referred to as "wet leases."

The Mossad, meanwhile, is to receive information on foreign passengers, identifying those of interest based on its criteria. However, due to privacy and information access limitations, the Mossad typically does not receive crew lists. The Ministry of Transport's security department is responsible for requesting and receiving foreign crew lists and confirming their eligibility to enter Israel. The Civil Aviation Authority grants flight permits only after the Ministry of Transport's security department verifies compliance with Israeli security standards, including crew list checks.

"If the Ministry of Transport had performed the checks it is obligated to conduct on lists submitted to MALAN, it would have immediately identified crew members banned from entering the country due to holding dual citizenship from states hostile to Israel," a security source stated. Security officials view the Ministry of Transport's attempts to distance itself from the incident as a significant problem threatening Israeli aviation. "In 2023, the law defined the work procedures and responsibilities of each agency, and it is unclear why the Ministry of Transport's security department did not fulfill its legal obligations," the source added, accusing Minister Miri Regev of trying to shift blame to other agencies. "We are observing an attempt by Minister Miri Regev to shift her department's failure onto other security agencies. This is not serious," the source concluded.