State Comptroller Warned of Security Failures Two Years Ago

A report by the State Comptroller, completed over two years ago, warned of coordination failures among Israeli government bodies regarding the security of foreign flights, according to political correspondent Anna Baraski of 'Maariv'. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered an internal review of security systems for all foreign flights entering Israel, a directive that echoes recommendations made in the Comptroller's report. The report, authored by State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman, highlighted a lack of communication and synergy between ministries and agencies responsible for flight security.

Baraski revealed on Gadi Ness's radio show on Radio Tzafon 104.5FM that the Comptroller's report, much of which is classified, identified a critical gap in information sharing. Specifically, it noted the existence of an information center, subordinate to the Tax Authority within the Ministry of Finance, responsible for tracking aircrew members arriving in Israel. Despite this center being operational for two years, no security agency reportedly approached it to verify the identities of pilots on incoming flights, a fact Baraski linked to the recent incident involving Flydubai.

Baraski emphasized that none of the Comptroller's recommendations have been implemented. The report had advised the National Security Council (NSC) to convene inter-ministerial status assessments to prevent security lapses, precisely the kind of failure that occurred recently. She stated that the information regarding the pilots' identities was known to Israel for two years. Baraski also addressed calls by Avigdor Lieberman to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet, arguing that foreign flight security is not the Shin Bet's purview, with the Mossad having more oversight. She concluded by urging the Prime Minister to at least review the existing, unimplemented report, stressing the absence of synchronized efforts between government bodies.