Demand for Probe into Foreign Flight Security Lapses After Attack Attempt

Following an attempted terror attack on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, the Movement for Quality of Government has formally requested Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to establish a government inquiry commission. The commission, to be headed by a retired judge and granted investigative powers, would examine security failures concerning foreign flights entering Israel.

The appeal comes amid reports of ongoing deficiencies in the vetting of flight crews and information sharing between state authorities. The movement highlighted that while details of the flight crew, including the co-pilot's identity and nationality, were transferred to the Tax Authority's National Center for Passenger Data Analysis prior to takeoff, the Ministry of Transportation claims it did not receive this list. Reports indicate that for approximately two years, data on foreign flight crews has not been collected or examined.

The organization seeks to understand how information held by the state failed to trigger security checks that could have identified the risk. The appeal also points to prior warnings that indicated the need to change the security screening process for foreign flights. In 2024, the State Comptroller recommended regulating aviation security responsibilities and allocating necessary resources, yet responsibility for foreign flight security reportedly remains with the Ministry of Transportation, despite recommendations from the National Security Council and warnings from security officials about lacking intelligence capabilities.

The Movement for Quality of Government argues that the Prime Minister's previously ordered National Security Council review is insufficient given the depth of the failures. They are demanding a government commission, under Section 8a of the Government Law, with investigative powers to examine the handling of warnings, the use of crew data, coordination with intelligence agencies, and institutional and personal accountability for any identified failures. Concurrently, the movement calls for immediate measures to close security loopholes, including establishing mandatory procedures for information transfer and cross-referencing, and implementing an interim arrangement for actual intelligence vetting by a qualified security body, alongside clear responsibility allocation.

Advocate Dr. Iliad Shraga, Chairman of the Movement for Quality of Government, stated, "Passenger safety must not depend on the bravery of those sitting next to them on the plane. The publications reveal a severe picture of unaddressed warnings and information held by the state that was not properly examined. The public is entitled to know who was responsible, what was not done, and how to prevent the next disaster. An inquiry commission with investigative powers is required, and simultaneously, immediate repair of the loopholes. We must not wait for a disaster to act."