Budget for Flight Security Approved Months Before Incident Was Not Implemented

Months prior to a security incident involving a Flydubai flight, the Israeli government approved a NIS 10 million budget increase and 10 additional positions for the Ministry of Transport's security department, intended to enhance security for foreign airlines operating in Israel. However, the funds and positions were reportedly never implemented.

The decision to allocate the additional budget stemmed from a National Security Council (NSC) recommendation, which followed a State Comptroller's report from two years prior highlighting security gaps in foreign flights entering Israel. Despite the budget's approval for 2026, the Ministry of Transport claims no new personnel were hired and no funds were actually received.

Responsibility for the lack of implementation is being shifted between government ministries. The Ministry of Transport asserts that the Ministry of Finance failed to transfer the allocated budget and positions, despite written commitments. Conversely, the Ministry of Finance states that all necessary funds for bolstering security were budgeted and made available to the Ministry of Transport at the time of the 2026 budget approval.

Further complicating the situation, the Ministry of Transport, which is legally responsible for overseeing foreign airlines' safety, claims it was unaware of its duty to receive crew lists from airlines for security vetting by bodies like the Shin Bet. This is despite a 2003 government decision assigning the Minister of Transport responsibility for the inspection and oversight of civilian aircraft entering Israeli airspace.