Israeli Security Agencies Warned of Flight Threats; Transport Ministry Ignored Warnings

Israeli security agencies warned for years that the Transportation Ministry was failing to conduct proper security checks on foreign flights, including pilot oversight, before an Omani co-pilot attempted to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight last week. Opposition leaders are demanding Transport Minister Miri Regev's resignation ahead of October 27 elections. The Times of Israel reported that in 2021, security responsibility for screening foreign airlines shifted from Shin Bet to the Civil Aviation Authority, despite ministry warnings about insufficient manpower and budget. A classified 2024 state comptroller report found the ministry failed to meet obligations, and a 2025 directive fully transferred responsibility to Regev's ministry, which denies the claims. Dozens of Omani pilots reportedly flew to Tel Aviv on flydubai in recent years, despite bans on pilots from non-recognizing states like Oman. The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, stabbed the captain last Wednesday, but passengers subdued him as the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.