Probe Ordered Into Foreign Flight Security Failures Amid Years of Neglect

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an investigation into the security failures concerning foreign aviation into Israel, following revelations of systemic neglect and responsibility disputes. The probe will be led by an examiner appointed by the National Security Council head, Shmuel Ben Ezra. Recent reports have exposed years of unaddressed warnings, inter-agency disputes between the Ministry of Transportation and security bodies, insufficient staffing, and underutilized information systems. These issues allowed individuals with problematic nationalities, including an Omani co-pilot suspected of extremist ties, to fly into Israel, culminating in an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight.

The investigation comes after a series of reports detailing how the Ministry of Transportation, despite being responsible for foreign aviation security, failed to adequately implement security protocols. Internal documents from the National Security Council indicated that the ministry lacked the necessary capabilities but retained responsibility. Warnings were issued as early as March 2025 about the ministry's non-compliance with cabinet decisions.

Key issues include the underutilization of the National Passenger and Crew Identification Center (MALAN), which holds data that could identify risky crew members. Reports suggest the Ministry of Transportation has not accessed this database. Furthermore, procedures for submitting crew information are often delayed until shortly before or even after flights depart, rendering pre-flight security checks ineffective. A government official noted this was standard practice globally until the recent incident, and procedures are now under review.

Discussions between the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Interior revealed a lack of clarity on how to identify individuals with dual nationalities from countries not having relations with Israel. While information was reportedly shared with security agencies like the Shin Bet and Mossad, it remains unclear who was responsible for cross-referencing this data to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from boarding flights.

Past incidents have seen pilots from countries without diplomatic ties with Israel, including Iran, Lebanon, and Pakistan, enter the country. Official data shows dozens of Omani citizens, some potentially aircrew, entered Israel between 2022 and 2025. Following the Flydubai incident, new directives were issued prohibiting crew members with citizenship from countries not maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel from flying to the country.

Further revelations point to a June 2023 National Security Council discussion where the Ministry of Transportation acknowledged its responsibility but cited a lack of sufficient intelligence data. Despite agreements for increased intelligence sharing from the Mossad, these were reportedly not implemented. The Shin Bet had also previously recommended transferring oversight of foreign flights and crew lists to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Concerns have also been raised about the understaffing of the Ministry of Transportation's Security, Emergency, and Cyber Department, which is responsible for aviation security. The department has seen staff departures and a reduction in authorized positions, with critical roles filled by part-time staff or remaining vacant. Former officials have stated that attempts to upgrade the aviation security center or transfer its oversight to intelligence agencies were unsuccessful.

Questions have also arisen regarding the employment status of key personnel. Dvir Rubinstein, head of the aviation security operations center, is employed through outsourcing and holds other positions, which the ministry confirmed were legally approved and conducted outside work hours. Avri Cohen, director of the security department, reportedly received approval in 2018 for a concurrent role as an overseas aviation security officer.

The Ministry of Transportation has largely rejected the claims, distinguishing between foreign and chartered flights. They assert their responsibility for foreign aviation security is long-standing but does not entail conducting intelligence background checks, as they are not an intelligence agency. The ministry stated its procedures are approved by the National Security Council and security bodies, relying on origin country security measures, airline commitments, and internal controls. Regarding the Flydubai flight, the ministry claims the airline had committed to background checks and nationality restrictions, but the crew list was not received. The ministry also noted past recommendations for a state authority to consolidate aviation security responsibilities, which were not implemented.