Israeli Aviation Security Official Received Payment From Fly Dubai

A new report has raised questions about a potential conflict of interest within Israel's aviation security system.

Rubinstein is not a state employee but provides services to the Ministry of Transport on an outsourced basis. He also operates a private company named "Dvir." The report indicates that Rubinstein's private work included providing services to foreign airlines whose operations he is meant to supervise in his public role. He allegedly traveled to the UAE to train Emirates and Fly Dubai staff, then returned to his position at the Ministry of Transport, where he also handles relations with foreign airlines.

This situation gains particular significance following an attempted hijacking of a Fly Dubai flight to Israel last week, during which the co-pilot attacked the captain. The UAE authorities reportedly shared passenger and crew lists, including nationalities, with Israel in advance, but no alert was identified regarding the co-pilot in Israel.

According to the report, Rubinstein's job description included being "responsible for all security approvals and permits required for any airline and flight wishing to enter Israel," while simultaneously "advising airlines worldwide operating flights to Israel." In a separate lecture on lessons learned from 9/11 in the US, Rubinstein discussed the vetting of foreign airline crews, noting that US airlines must submit pilot lists in advance and undergo background checks.

Rubinstein stated in a conversation with journalists that the Ministry of Transport is not an intelligence agency and relies on checks conducted by airlines and security authorities in countries of origin. He explained that companies provide declarations that pilots have undergone background checks and are approved by their home countries' authorities. Neither Rubinstein nor the Ministry of Transport responded to the new allegations regarding payments received from Fly Dubai and other foreign airlines.