Israel Seeks New Security Measures After Dubai Flight Incident

Israel is pushing for enhanced security protocols for air travel following an attempted attack on a Flydubai flight, with Minister of Transportation Miri Regev proposing a "flight visa" system for all passengers and crew on foreign and Israeli flights. This new measure would require detailed passenger information to be submitted 48 hours before departure for approval by the Population and Immigration Authority. Regev also requested that the Mossad and Shin Bet identify high-risk destinations, mandating airlines to submit passenger and crew lists from these locations for pre-approval before flights to Israel.

These proposals come amidst ongoing discussions between Israel and the United Arab Emirates regarding security arrangements for resuming and expanding air traffic. The UAE has reportedly agreed to additional screening measures, and Regev is seeking permission for Israeli airlines to operate two daily flights. A joint "round table" discussion involving Israeli and Emirati officials is planned to finalize security requirements, though its scheduling depends on Israeli security personnel participation.

The proposed "flight visa" and destination risk assessment are part of a broader effort to establish a more robust system for screening individuals entering Israel by air. Regev highlighted that some of these security measures had been previously proposed but rejected, urging the National Security Council to ensure their implementation this time. The minister also emphasized the need for the Ministry of Transportation, the Security Department, and the Shin Bet to provide updated security guidelines to airlines and verify their adoption.

Furthermore, Regev is seeking NIS 40 million and ten additional staff positions for the Ministry of Transportation to effectively manage the increased security responsibilities, particularly for charter flights. She noted that these resources were stipulated when the ministry assumed responsibility for charter flight security, a transfer that has been a point of contention since 2021. The Prime Minister's Office is reportedly involved in resolving this dispute, with a cabinet decision from December 2025 on the matter.

In parallel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that whoever sent the perpetrator of the incident from Dubai would pay a price. The UAE ambassador, following a meeting with Regev, indicated discussions focused on increasing flight frequency and strengthening preparedness for various developments.