Over 1,200 Foreign Flight Crew Entered Israel This Year

More than 1,200 foreign flight crew members from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel, including Syria, Lebanon, and Oman, have entered the country since the beginning of the year. This figure gains heightened significance following a recent attempted plane hijacking. The pilot involved in the incident, Maim Al-Maimi, an Omani national, had previously raised concerns in his home country. Reports indicate that Omani authorities noticed his browsing habits and perceived his interest in radical ideology, leading to his removal from pilot duties with Oman Air and placement in an office job as part of an anti-extremism program. However, information about these concerns was reportedly not passed on to relevant parties, according to the Wall Street Journal. Al-Maimi was subsequently hired by Flydubai, which allegedly did not investigate his background beyond a criminal record check. Sources familiar with the matter state he had flown to Israel multiple times before the attempted hijacking. During his interrogation in the UAE, Al-Maimi reportedly claimed he planned the attack before joining Flydubai. Authorities in the UAE are now investigating Flydubai personnel involved in his hiring, while Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem are examining whether his radicalization signs emerged during his time in Australia. In Israel, questions are being raised about who should have identified the threat. Transportation Minister Miri Regev stated that intelligence screening and vetting of foreign flight crews fall under the purview of security agencies, not her ministry. Conversely, the Wall Street Journal attributed oversights to Israeli authorities and the Ministry of Transportation regarding the screening of flight crews on foreign airlines.