Israeli Aviation Security Head Took Payments From Flydubai

Dvir Rubinstein, who heads the Aviation Security Operational Center for Israel's Ministry of Transport, has been receiving payments from Flydubai for consulting and training services, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Rubinstein's responsibilities include overseeing the security of foreign airlines operating flights into Israel. He is engaged by the Ministry of Transport as an external contractor rather than being a state employee. Concurrently, Rubinstein owns a private company, "Dvir," which offers services in the air transport sector. He previously lectured on security at "Sigma 005" college, affiliated with the police department.

Following an initial report, the Ministry of Transport stated that Rubinstein's external activities were legally approved and conducted outside his contract with the ministry. However, it has now emerged that his private clients included airlines he is tasked with monitoring for the ministry. According to N12, Rubinstein traveled to the UAE to train staff for Emirates and Flydubai, subsequently returning to Israel to continue his work concerning foreign carriers.

The situation gained public attention after a recent incident on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. While UAE authorities reportedly provided Israel with passenger and crew details, including citizenship, no suspicions were raised regarding the co-pilot in Israel. Rubinstein's role was described in one of his lectures as being responsible for all necessary permits and clearances for airlines and flights connected to Israel. In another lecture discussing post-9/11 security, he detailed how U.S. authorities vet foreign crews by pre-screening passenger lists and conducting background checks before departure.

Rubinstein told journalists that the Ministry of Transport is not an intelligence agency and relies on checks conducted by foreign airlines and the security bodies of countries from which flights to Israel originate. He stated that carriers provide confirmation that pilots have passed checks and received authorization from their respective authorities.