Criminal Probe Launched Against Two Senior Transport Ministry Officials Over Flydubai Incident
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A criminal investigation has been launched against two senior officials at Israel's Ministry of Transportation, Dvir Rubinstein and Avri Cohen, following a near-disastrous Flydubai flight. Rubinstein is suspected of conflict of interest for working with foreign airlines he supervised, while Cohen is investigated for alleged undeclared dual roles. The probe is linked to a document assigning the ministry sole responsibility for foreign flight security. The incident involved an Omani co-pilot's alleged attack, thwarted by passengers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two senior Israeli Ministry of Transportation officials are under criminal investigation for their roles in a Flydubai flight incident.
- Dvir Rubinstein is suspected of conflict of interest for working with foreign airlines he was meant to regulate.
- Avri Cohen is investigated for allegedly holding undeclared dual security roles in aviation.
- The investigation follows reports of over 1,200 aircrew from hostile nations entering Israel this year.
- An Omani co-pilot's alleged attack on the Flydubai flight was thwarted by passengers and crew.
A criminal investigation has been opened against two senior officials at Israel's Ministry of Transportation in connection with a near-disastrous Flydubai flight incident, according to reports by Guy Peleg and Omri Maniv on N12.
The investigation focuses on Dvir Rubinstein, Director of the Aviation Security Operations Center, and Avri Cohen, Senior Director of Emergency, Security, Information, and Cyber. Rubinstein is suspected of conflict of interest, as he allegedly worked for foreign airlines he was supposed to oversee, even receiving payment from Flydubai for training services. His role officially involves approving all security certifications and permits for airlines entering Israel, and investigators are examining if his private work conflicted with his public duties.
Cohen is reportedly being investigated for allegedly serving simultaneously as an aviation security officer for an Israeli airline abroad and potentially for another role within the Israeli security system "Ofek" without proper authorization. This aspect of the investigation may fall under disciplinary rather than criminal proceedings.
The probe was initiated following the N12's "Central Edition" report on an internal Ministry of Transportation document, signed by Cohen, which designates the ministry's security department as solely responsible for the security of incoming flights, including pilot screening and identity verification.
In response, the Ministry of Transportation stated that Rubinstein provides services on a subcontract basis and is not a state employee. His additional activities, they claim, were legally approved and conducted outside his ministry working hours.
This development comes after a confidential Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussion revealed that over 1,200 aircrew members from countries without diplomatic ties with Israel, including Lebanon, Syria, Oman, and Iran, have entered Israel since the beginning of 2026. A security document titled "Security Directive 2026" reportedly confirms the Ministry of Transportation, under Minister Miri Regev, is legally mandated to set security procedures for foreign flights.
The attack was reportedly thwarted by four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Hayun, Dr. Shota Musaev, Zvika Mans, and Assaf Radwan, who subdued the attacker after the injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door.
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