Flydubai Passengers Seek State Aid After Terror Incident, Ministry Deflects
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Passengers from a recent Flydubai flight to Israel are experiencing severe post-traumatic stress and claim a lack of adequate support from the state. Many report anxiety, insomnia, and an inability to work, with some being told by the Ministry of Transportation to seek help from the airline. While initial support was provided, passengers feel abandoned and are seeking official recognition of the incident as a terror attack and appropriate compensation. Ministries are coordinating, but there are differing views on how to best provide assistance and who holds ultimate responsibility.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Flydubai passengers report severe stress and lack of state support following a terror incident on their flight.
- Passengers claim the Ministry of Transportation advised them to seek compensation directly from Flydubai.
- Survivors describe ongoing anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty returning to work and daily life.
- The Ministry of Health is considering further support but is cautious about potentially pathologizing stress.
- Passengers feel abandoned and are seeking official recognition of the incident as a terror attack.
- Responsibility for passenger compensation is debated between the airline, Ministry of Transportation, and National Insurance Institute.
Five days after a flight from Dubai to Israel, survivors of a terror incident aboard a Flydubai plane are struggling to cope with severe stress, anxiety, insomnia, and an inability to work. Many passengers claim they have not received adequate assistance or psychological support from the Israeli state, with the Ministry of Transportation reportedly advising them to "contact Flydubai." The incident occurred on a flight arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, where initial support was provided by the National Resilience Center and emergency medical services. A Ministry of Health representative stated that no passengers required immediate psychological aid, though some sought consultations. Contact information for the National Resilience Center and hospital hotline support was distributed.
Passenger Daniela Elmaliach described ongoing distress, including sleep deprivation, loss of appetite, and emotional lability, impacting her ability to work and care for her children. She expressed frustration over the lack of follow-up from state authorities and uncertainty regarding compensation, stating, "Someone needs to wake up and give us the necessary help." The Ministry of Health maintains it is monitoring the situation and considering further support measures, coordinating with other ministries and the National Insurance Institute. However, specialists are hesitant to proactively contact passengers, fearing it might pathologize natural stress responses.
Another passenger, Oren P., recounted extreme fear during the incident, describing the feeling of facing death. He echoed the sentiment of being left to cope alone, stating, "We are left alone with this misfortune." He noted the lack of clarity regarding their rights and the state's failure to officially recognize the incident as a terror attack. The Ministry of Health explained its current approach focuses on empowering individuals' internal resilience and utilizing existing support networks like hospital hotlines and family doctors, offering three free psychological consultations through health funds.
The Ministry of Social Affairs attempted to obtain a passenger list from the Airports Authority to offer support but was denied due to data privacy concerns, with the authority suggesting the airline be contacted. Flydubai did not respond to the request. The National Insurance Institute stated that activating emergency protocols depends on the Ministry of Defense's determination of the incident as a terror attack or hostile act, a status not yet confirmed. The Ministry of Defense indicated that the National Insurance Institute is responsible for processing claims after receiving investigation data.
The Ministry of Transportation asserted that Flydubai bears responsibility under the Montreal Convention for passenger harm during flights and advised passengers to seek compensation directly from the airline or pursue legal action. The ministry acknowledged the passengers' distress and stated it had arranged initial support at the airport, offering to guide individuals to appropriate specialists within its purview. Separately, the Ministry of Transportation proposed implementing a mandatory aviation visa for all inbound passengers and crews, requiring pre-flight approval, to enhance security following concerns about crew members from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel entering the country.
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