Lieberman Demands Shin Bet Chief Resign Over Flydubai Incident

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has publicly criticized the government's handling of a recent Flydubai incident, demanding the resignation of the Shin Bet chief. Lieberman stated on social media that the nation watched with tension as a Flydubai flight landed safely in Tel Aviv, praising the "ordinary citizens" who showed courage and resourcefulness. However, he labeled the event a "further failure of the October 7 massacre government," questioning how a pilot, previously dismissed for religious extremism and who had shared Al-Qaeda posts online, was allowed to enter Israel after a preliminary tour.

Lieberman expressed further concern over reports of Iranian and Syrian pilots working for foreign airlines operating in Israel, who had flown planes into the country. Drawing on his past experience as Minister of Transportation and Minister of Defense, he asserted that all airlines operating in Israel, security arrangements, and flight protocols are the responsibility of the Shin Bet.

He specifically addressed Shin Bet head David Zini, calling him an excellent soldier and officer but unfit for his current role, stating that this incident reinforced his initial opposition to Zini's appointment. Lieberman also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership style, accusing him of taking credit for successes while avoiding responsibility for failures.

Concluding his remarks, Lieberman called for the Shin Bet chief to take responsibility and resign, stating that if he were prime minister, he would offer Zini few alternatives. He expressed no expectation that Netanyahu would act differently, given his history of not taking responsibility. A recent Channel 14 poll showed Lieberman with 4% support for prime minister, compared to Netanyahu's 53% and Gadi Eisenkot's 32%.