Cargo Plane Denied Landing at Ben Gurion Airport After Crew Member Identified
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane was denied landing at Ben Gurion Airport after an Indonesian crew member was identified, a country with no diplomatic ties to Israel. This incident contrasts with a previous security lapse involving Flydubai. Israeli airlines are now proactively using cybersecurity firms for foreign crew background checks. Separately, the UAE Attorney General confirmed the Flydubai co-pilot planned an attack at Ben Gurion Airport.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane was denied landing at Ben Gurion Airport due to an Indonesian crew member.
- Israel's security system immediately flagged the crew member's presence, preventing a potential incident.
- Israeli airlines are now using cybersecurity firms for background checks on foreign flight crews.
- Approximately 2,500 foreign pilots and flight attendants have had their social media activity scanned.
- The UAE Attorney General confirmed the Flydubai co-pilot planned a suicide attack at Ben Gurion Airport.
- The Flydubai co-pilot began radicalizing in 2017 but was hired in January 2026.
A potential security incident was averted at Ben Gurion Airport early Tuesday morning when a cargo plane operated by Ethiopian Airlines, flying from Addis Ababa to Israel, was denied landing. Shortly after takeoff, Israeli authorities received the crew manifest, revealing an Indonesian crew member aboard. Indonesia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Unlike a previous serious lapse with a Flydubai flight, the Israeli system immediately flagged the unusual presence, prompting officials to refuse the plane entry. The aircraft was forced to return to its country of origin.
In response to past security events, Israeli airlines have begun taking independent measures, not waiting for official investigations. Local companies are now employing Israeli cybersecurity firms to conduct thorough background checks on foreign flight crews operating on chartered flights. This initiative has involved scanning the social media activities and statements of approximately 2,500 foreign pilots and flight attendants.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General in the Emirates confirmed that the co-pilot of the Flydubai flight, Ma'am Al-Hamami, had indeed planned a suicide attack at Ben Gurion Airport. The investigation indicates that the Omani pilot began radicalizing in 2017 while in Australia. Despite this, he met all professional and security requirements when hired in January 2026.
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