Police Investigate Potential Conflict of Interest for Two Senior Transport Ministry Officials
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Israeli police are investigating two senior Ministry of Transport officials, Avri Cohen and Dvir Rubinstein, for suspected conflicts of interest due to outside employment. Cohen allegedly worked as an airport security officer abroad while Rubinstein reportedly consulted for airlines he oversees. Both officials claim their additional work was approved, but former ministry leadership denies this for Cohen. Rubinstein, a freelancer, maintains his outside activities were legally sanctioned.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police are investigating two senior Ministry of Transport officials for alleged conflicts of interest.
- Avri Cohen, Head of Security, reportedly held a paid security role at a foreign airport.
- Dvir Rubinstein, Aviation Security Director, allegedly consulted for airlines he oversees.
- Cohen claims he had approval for his outside work, but former ministry officials deny this.
- Rubinstein, a freelancer, states his additional jobs were legally approved.
Israeli police are investigating suspicions of a conflict of interest involving two senior officials at the Ministry of Transport who allegedly held additional paid positions. Avri Cohen, the Head of the Security Department, and Dvir Rubinstein, the Director of the Aviation Security Operations Center, are both reportedly working secondary jobs.
Cohen, whose responsibilities include inspecting foreign aircrews arriving in Israel, is said to have also served as a "Qab'at Atudai" (security officer for airline companies) at an overseas airport. This paid role is separate from his official duties. Cohen claims he received approval for this additional work from the Ministry's former Director-General in 2018. However, both Keren Turner, the former Director-General, and two other senior officials from that period stated that Cohen never received such approval. Cohen did not provide "Haaretz" with documentation of the alleged approval.
Rubinstein is also reportedly engaged in outside employment. According to reports, he received payment from Flydubai for consulting and training services. Rubinstein, who is tasked with overseeing foreign airlines, also allegedly worked for Emirates. The investigation revealed that Rubinstein is not a state employee but has been working as a freelancer in his sensitive position for 19 years. He is reportedly the owner of a private company named "Dvir" and also lectured on security at the Police's Sigma 005 college.
The Ministry of Transport stated that Rubinstein provides services to the ministry through outsourcing and is not a state employee. They added that his additional activities were legally approved and conducted outside his working hours related to his contract with the ministry.
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