Two Senior Israeli Transport Ministry Officials Under Investigation for Outside Employment

A police investigation into a "Fly Dubai" flight incident has revealed that two senior officials with sensitive security roles at the Ministry of Transport were simultaneously engaged in outside employment. Dvir Rubinstein, Director of the Operations Center at the Ministry of Transport, responsible for approving foreign flights to Israel, was at the center of the inquiry. Evidence suggests that alongside his regulatory duties, Rubinstein provided paid training and certifications through a company he owns. The second official, Avri Cohen, a security officer working abroad, was also found to have outside employment. The police have begun collecting testimonies from Ministry of Transport employees, who claim they were unaware of Rubinstein's activities. The ministry's legal counsel is also examining the matter. Previously, it was reported that Rubinstein, tasked with overseeing flight security arrangements for Israel, provided paid training to private companies, enabling them to conduct their own security checks. Rubinstein, owner of "Smart Security," conducted paid training in the United States for airlines, including "Fly Dubai" and "Emirates," which allegedly allowed these companies to bypass services from "Premier." "Smart Security" was registered in Israel in October 2024, with its stated purpose being "providing consultancy and training on aviation and airport security." Security officials have stated that the Ministry of Transport bears responsibility for the "Fly Dubai" incident.