Netanyahu Orders Security Review of Foreign Aviation After FlyDubai Incident

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the head of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to appoint an investigator to conduct a thorough review of all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation in Israel. This decision follows public pressure to investigate a recent security lapse. The incident, involving a FlyDubai flight, has ignited a political dispute over responsibility.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the government's handling of the situation, questioning the safety assurances provided. Minister of Transportation Miri Regev responded by stating that her ministry does not have access to passenger or crew data and is not an intelligence agency, placing the responsibility on intelligence bodies. She also accused Lapid's former government of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, called for the resignation of the head of the Shin Bet, stating that in a proper system, the head of the security service would step down after such a significant failure, lamenting the lack of accountability.

Meanwhile, Knesset members Efrat Reiten and Ram Ben Barak sent a letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, urging her to launch an investigation into the incident. They cited emerging findings that suggest potential gross negligence, arguing that relevant bodies had the tools and legal mechanisms to identify the co-pilot's Omani citizenship but failed to act. The lawmakers also referenced a 2024 State Comptroller warning about the need to clarify responsibilities for foreign flight security, emphasizing that the avoidance of disaster does not absolve the state from investigating the lapse and the accountability of all involved parties.