Israel opposition demands transport minister resign over Flydubai attack failures

Israeli opposition leaders are calling for Transportation Minister Miri Regev's resignation following security failures linked to last week's attempted terror attack on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, with reports citing years of warnings about inadequate oversight of foreign airlines. The attack involved a copilot who stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the plane carrying 180 passengers, who were overpowered by passengers and off-duty pilots. Reports say the Shin Bet warned the ministry repeatedly, including three times in recent months, but no action was taken, and ministry officials admit they lack capacity for proper background checks on foreign pilots. Opposition leaders drew parallels to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people, accusing the government of failing on accountability. The ministry has since barred crew members with citizenship from 27 countries, including Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan, from Israel-bound flights, after previously failing to enforce such rules.