Israel Demands Stricter Entry Rules for Flight Crews Amid Security Concerns

Israel's Ministry of Transportation is pushing for a series of measures to prevent a security scenario similar to the "Fly Dubai 2" incident, following the revelation that 1,240 aircrew members from hostile countries entered Israel this year. The Intelligence Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee held an urgent meeting to discuss the alarming figures, which include pilots and co-pilots from nations such as Syria, Lebanon, and Oman.

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev has requested immediate actions from the National Security Council to avert potential threats. These proposed steps include implementing a one-time aviation visa for all passengers and crew, requiring applications 48 hours in advance for approval by the Population and Immigration Authority. Additionally, Regev wants the Mossad and Shin Bet to provide lists of destinations posing security risks, with individuals arriving from these locations undergoing checks by the Ministry of Transportation's security department. Airline companies will be updated with these lists by Thursday.

The ministry also requires NIS 40 million and 10 new positions from the Ministry of Finance to manage chartered flights from low-risk areas. Security guidelines will be updated and distributed to all airlines. Regev stated that some of these proposals had been previously rejected by the National Security Council.

Following the subcommittee's meeting, Chairman Boaz Bismuth declared that the face of civil aviation in Israel would change, emphasizing that all relevant parties must complete internal reviews and provide clear answers. The committee will continue to monitor the situation until all findings are presented.