Netanyahu Orders Review of Foreign Aviation Security After Fly Dubai Incident
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu orders a review of foreign aviation security.
- The review follows a recent incident involving a Fly Dubai flight.
- The Ministry of Transport denies responsibility for the security lapse.
- A 2024 State Comptroller report had previously recommended such a review.
- Responsibility for foreign flight security is a complex issue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a comprehensive review of all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation into Israel. The directive, issued Sunday, tasks the head of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, with appointing an inspector to conduct the thorough examination. This decision comes in the wake of a recent Fly Dubai flight incident and significant public outcry regarding the security measures for foreign flights, with the Ministry of Transport attempting to distance itself from responsibility.
Concerns over foreign aviation security have been a subject of discussion for some time. A classified 2024 State Comptroller report on the matter recommended that the National Security Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Israel Airports Authority, Shin Bet, and police, conduct a comprehensive review of international civil aviation security. While discussions have occurred since then, no government decision was made until now. The recent incident, which reportedly averted disaster, has apparently accelerated this process.
The Ministry of Transport has asserted that it is not responsible for the security lapse, stating its role is limited to interacting with airlines and verifying their assurances regarding pilot background checks conducted by their countries of origin. Dvir Rubinstein, Director of Aviation Security at the Ministry of Transport, clarified that the ministry is not an intelligence agency and does not possess overseas security personnel, nor do its procedures account for threats like a pilot intentionally crashing a plane. However, reports indicate Rubinstein is not a full-time civil servant and holds other concurrent positions.
Responsibility for foreign flight security is complex. Government decisions place the onus on the Ministry of Transport, but its procedures, approved by the National Security Council, rely on the security authorities of the airline's country of origin. Given that the alleged security failures continue, there is an urgent need to clarify the division of responsibility.
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