Israel Police Investigate Two Senior Transport Ministry Officials for Conflict of Interest
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel Police are investigating two senior Ministry of Transport officials for alleged conflicts of interest related to aviation security. Avri Cohen, head of the Security Department, is suspected of working an unauthorized second job for eight years as a security officer for Israeli companies abroad. Dvir Rubinstein, director of the Aviation Security Operations Center, is under scrutiny because his private company advised foreign airlines that he oversees. The Ministry of Transport confirmed Cohen's unauthorized employment and stated he must end it.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police are investigating two senior Ministry of Transport officials for conflicts of interest in aviation security.
- Avri Cohen, head of the Security Department, allegedly held an unauthorized second job for eight years.
- Dvir Rubinstein, director of Aviation Security Operations, faces scrutiny over his company advising airlines he oversees.
- The investigation follows an attempted plane hijacking and security lapse revelations.
- The Ministry of Transport confirmed Cohen's unauthorized employment and mandated its termination.
Israel Police are investigating two senior officials from the Ministry of Transport on suspicion of acting in conflict of interest. The probe was initiated following an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai plane and revelations of security lapses concerning foreign flights.
At the center of the investigation is Avri Cohen, head of the ministry's Security Department, who allegedly worked for the past eight years as an "atuda'i" security officer responsible for Israeli companies at foreign airports. The Civil Service Commission denied that Cohen received authorization for this additional employment. According to a report in "Haaretz," in his role as "atuda'i" security officer, Cohen represented Israeli companies at overseas airports and received separate payment for this work, in addition to his position at the Ministry of Transport. This occurred while he was simultaneously serving as head of the ministry's Security Department, which is tasked with overseeing the security of foreign flights.
Additionally, police are examining allegations against Dvir Rubinstein, director of the Aviation Security Operations Center at the Ministry of Transport. It was discovered that a private company owned by Rubinstein provided paid training and consulting services to foreign airlines, including Flydubai and Emirates. These are the same airlines he is responsible for overseeing in his official capacity at the ministry.
Earlier this week, "Calcalist" reported that the Ministry of Transport confirmed Cohen, a senior official in the Security, Cyber, and Emergency Department, worked in the additional role without permission and will be required to cease it. The Ministry of Transport stated that the Civil Service Commissioner and the Ministry's management have the authority to grant such permits, and no request was made for Cohen's case, thus no permit was issued. The ministry emphasized its adherence to the Commissioner's directives, adding that the responsibility to request and obtain permission for secondary employment rests with the employee.
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