US Reviews Security Ties With Israel After Flydubai Incident
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
The U.S. is reviewing security protocols with Israel following a Flydubai incident, sending a delegation to assess compliance with visa waiver program requirements. Concerns include the entry of crew members from countries without diplomatic ties. Israeli Minister Miri Regev proposed a new "aviation permit" system, but it faces low approval chances due to potential reciprocal measures from other nations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A U.S. delegation will visit Israel to assess security compliance for the visa waiver program.
- The review follows a security lapse on a Flydubai flight and concerns about foreign airline screening.
- Israel faces scrutiny over 1,240 crew members entering from countries without diplomatic relations.
- Minister Miri Regev proposed a new "aviation permit" system for all arrivals.
- Regev's proposal may be rejected due to fears of reciprocal measures against Israelis.
- Over 1,200 crew members from non-diplomatic nations entered Israel since early 2026.
The United States is considering a new security regime with Israel following a security lapse involving a Flydubai flight. A U.S. delegation is scheduled to visit Israel in the coming days to assess whether the country meets security requirements for continued participation in America's visa waiver program. This assessment comes after an attempted terror attack on a Flydubai plane last week and identified shortcomings in the screening of foreign airlines.
The delegation is currently in the UAE examining aviation security procedures. Concerns have been raised about approximately 1,240 crew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel entering the country over the past year. The U.S. delegation will verify Israel's compliance with conditions agreed upon when it joined the U.S. visa waiver program in 2023, which allows Israelis to visit the U.S. using the ESTA system without a traditional visa.
Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Transport Miri Regev has proposed a special "aviation permit" for all passengers and crew arriving in Israel, requiring approval from the Population and Immigration Authority 48 hours before departure. Regev also requested 40 million shekels and 40 additional staff for her ministry to manage charter flight oversight.
However, officials view Regev's initiative as unlikely to be approved, partly due to fears that other countries might impose similar requirements on Israelis entering their territories. The incident with Flydubai has prompted Israel to re-evaluate its screening measures for foreign crews, with over 1,200 crew members from non-diplomatic nations having arrived in the country since the start of 2026.
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