Netanyahu orders review of aviation security
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben-Ezra to appoint an inspector to conduct a comprehensive review of all aspects of foreign civil aviation security in Israel following a dispute over the government’s responsibility for security checks on the crew of a flydubai flight.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced the decision in a statement, CE Report quotes ANSA.
The review follows a serious security incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The flight’s Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft, causing it to enter a steep descent. Passengers and crew members intervened and subdued the co-pilot, while the aircraft was eventually stabilized and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Authorities in several countries are investigating the incident and the suspect’s motives.
The incident has prompted scrutiny in Israel over how foreign airline crews are vetted before operating flights to the country. Questions have focused particularly on how the Omani co-pilot was cleared to operate the Tel Aviv route and which Israeli authority was responsible for assessing potential security risks associated with foreign crew members. Reports have also pointed to longstanding disagreements over the division of responsibility between the Transportation Ministry and Israel’s security agencies.
Photo: Chat GPT
