Israel's Transport Ministry Faces Scrutiny Over Foreign Flight Security Checks

High-ranking Israeli security agencies have repeatedly warned for years that the Ministry of Transport is failing in its duty to inspect the safety protocols of foreign airlines operating in Israel, according to internal National Security Council documents cited by army radio. A 2021 decision by the security cabinet shifted responsibility for these checks from the Shin Bet to the Civil Aviation Authority within the Ministry of Transport, tasking it with verifying that foreign countries' safety instructions align with international treaties, unless they are deemed highest risk.

A secret 2024 state comptroller's report found the ministry has not fulfilled these obligations. In May 2024, the security cabinet directed the National Security Council to form a joint task force, including representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation Authority, Shin Bet, Mossad, and Ministry of Finance, to examine and recommend changes to the security system for international commercial flights. This group's discussions lasted a year.

The Shin Bet stated it lacked the personnel and budget for foreign flight security checks, a position the National Security Council supported. The documents suggest it would be more appropriate for the Ministry of Transport to handle these duties, but that the Civil Aviation Authority would require additional staff and funding. Shmuel Zakai, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, agreed with this assessment. However, Avri Cohen, head of the Ministry of Transport's security service, argued the ministry was incapable of such a large-scale task, expressing dismay that Zakai had agreed to something "obviously too difficult for him." The ministry's security department reportedly has only three civil servants, with dozens of other employees being contractors.

An informed source told army radio that the professional team within the Ministry of Transport, except for Zakai, strongly opposed taking on the responsibility, informing Minister Miri Regev that it would be a grave error. They highlighted the ministry's inability to ascertain, for example, if a Syrian migrant from the UK had grown up in an adversarial state. Despite significant disagreements and strong written objections, Minister Regev, Director General Moshe Ben Zaken, and Zakai proceeded, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately deciding in 2025 to fully transfer responsibility for foreign flight security to the Ministry of Transport.

In March of the same year, the National Security Council issued a written warning that the Ministry of Transport was not meeting its oversight obligations for foreign flight security. The ministry has not sought assistance from the Shin Bet or Mossad for investigations into passengers or crew, despite acknowledged resource shortages. The source asserted that both intelligence agencies were aware of the Ministry of Transport's deficiencies but failed to act, contributing to the security lapse. The Ministry of Transport, however, denied these claims, stating that responsibility for foreign flights has rested with them for decades and that their procedures were approved by the National Security Council and other security bodies. They also noted their support for a proposed state aviation security authority, a recommendation that has not been implemented.