Flydubai Terror Flight Incident Highlights Gaps in Aviation Security Oversight

Former Israeli Air Force pilot Dr. Shmuel Gordon and former El Al captain Alon Peretz both criticized Israeli security agencies, including the Mossad and the Shin Bet, for a routine approach and security failures. Peretz noted that the plane narrowly avoided a catastrophe due to several miracles, including the captain's survival, the intervention of the passengers, and the presence of reserve pilots. Gordon credited the plane's survival to sufficient altitude and passenger heroism, suggesting that the primary threat was the disabling of the autopilot. He called for a single authority to oversee Israeli air travel security and recommended placing two guards on every flight.

Following the incident, the Prime Minister ordered the National Security Council to review security protocols for foreign civilian flights. Currently, responsibility for aviation security in Israel is divided among numerous agencies, including the Shin Bet, the Israel Airports Authority, the Ministry of Transport, the police, the IDF, and the Mossad. Critics argue that this complex structure lacks a single point of accountability, which can lead to coordination challenges and information gaps. They recommend establishing a multidisciplinary team to streamline security measures and improve effectiveness without adding bureaucratic layers.