Israel's Lahav 433 Investigates Transport Ministry Employees for Conflict of Interest
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Israel's Lahav 433 is investigating Ministry of Transport employees for conflicts of interest, focusing on Avri Cohen's alleged private work for airlines he supervised. The Civil Service Commissioner denies approving Cohen's work, and the ministry later stated he was told to stop until authorized. Meanwhile, Flydubai has concluded its investigation into a near-disaster flight to Tel Aviv, fired staff, and seeks to resume flights, but Israeli officials have refused.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lahav 433 is investigating Ministry of Transport employees for conflicts of interest.
- Avri Cohen, Director of the Security Department, is under scrutiny for alleged private work for airlines.
- The Civil Service Commissioner denies approving Cohen's private employment.
- Flydubai seeks to resume flights to Israel after firing staff following a near-disaster incident.
- Transport Minister Miri Regev and the Civil Aviation Authority head have refused Flydubai's request.
- Ministry of Transport officials are invited to Dubai next week.
Israel's Lahav 433 fraud investigation unit has opened an inquiry into alleged conflicts of interest among employees at the Ministry of Transport concerning the operations of foreign airlines in Israel. The investigation follows reports that Avri Cohen, the ministry's Director of the Security Department, may have improperly worked for airlines he was supposed to be overseeing.
According to state service regulations, senior employees like Cohen require special approval from the Civil Service Commissioner for private employment. The Ministry of Transport initially claimed Cohen received such approval in 2018 from the "then-management," implying former department head Keren Turner was responsible. However, the Civil Service Commissioner's office stated they neither approved nor were aware of Cohen's private work. Furthermore, any such permit would have expired in 2023 and required renewal, which did not occur.
Following the initial report, the ministry's stance shifted. They stated that upon learning of Cohen's additional employment, he was instructed to cease immediately until proper authorization was obtained. The ministry clarified that the authority to grant such permits rests with the Civil Service Commissioner, and no request was ever submitted by the ministry on Cohen's behalf.
Separately, Flydubai reported to Israel that its investigation into a near-catastrophic incident on a flight to Tel Aviv has concluded. The airline stated that all failure points were identified and a significant number of employees involved were dismissed. Flydubai has requested permission from Transport Minister Miri Regev to resume flights to Israel, and senior Ministry of Transport officials have been invited for a visit to Dubai next week. However, Minister Regev and Civil Aviation Authority head Shmulik Zakhai have so far refused the request.
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