Israeli Security Failures Exposed After Flydubai Hijacking Attempt
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed National Security Council Director Shmuel Benezra to appoint an inspector for a thorough review of security measures for foreign civilian flights arriving in Israel. This decision follows investigations that uncovered significant failures in the security system responsible for safeguarding foreign aviation. Reports indicate that warnings were overlooked, decisions were not implemented, and intelligence was mismanaged, leading to serious vulnerabilities in the security framework.
The attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight has underscored the potential dangers associated with these lapses. The second pilot, Maimam al-Hamami, an Omani citizen with suspected extremist views, was able to operate a flight to Israel despite being previously barred from flying in Oman. The security mechanisms designed to identify such risks failed to prevent his access to the aircraft.
An internal document from the National Security Council revealed that the Transportation Ministry had not fulfilled its responsibilities regarding foreign aviation security. Ministry officials had previously warned of their inadequate capabilities, yet the responsibility remained with them after numerous discussions. The NSC had also cautioned in March 2025 that the ministry was not adhering to a cabinet decision regarding security protocols.
A critical issue involves the National Center for Passenger Assessment, which is tasked with collecting data on passengers and crew members arriving on foreign flights. This database could help identify crew members with problematic citizenship, but reports suggest the Transportation Ministry has never sought access to it. Additionally, flight crew information is often submitted to the system only shortly before takeoff, which may delay necessary security screenings.
A government source noted that this practice is common internationally, and no prior requests for changes had been made. However, following the attempted hijacking, the procedures are now under reconsideration. Discussions between senior officials in the Transportation and Interior ministries have raised concerns about how information regarding foreign crew members is processed, particularly regarding dual citizenship.
Reports indicate that the Omani pilot may not be an isolated case, as pilots from other countries without diplomatic relations with Israel have previously entered the country. Official figures show that several Omani citizens have entered Israel in recent years, raising concerns about the security implications of such entries.
In response to the attempted attack, new guidelines have been issued to foreign airlines, prohibiting crew members with citizenship from countries lacking diplomatic relations with Israel from serving on flights to the country. These measures aim to enhance security and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Pre-existing Security Concerns Surface
Concerns about the security system had been raised long before this incident. In June 2023, a meeting involving the NSC, ISA, and Mossad discussed the transfer of intelligence information to civilian bodies. Transportation Ministry representatives expressed the need for broader intelligence to secure foreign flights effectively, but the necessary actions were not taken.
The ISA has also warned about vulnerabilities in tracking air crews and verifying passenger identities. Sources indicate that the agency recommended transferring oversight of foreign flights and crew lists to the Israel Airports Authority, but these recommendations have not been acted upon.
The situation highlights a pattern of repeated warnings from various sectors of the security apparatus. Despite the acknowledgment of weaknesses in the system, the underlying issues have remained unresolved. Staffing shortages within the Transportation Ministry's Aviation Security Division have further complicated the situation, with a significant reduction in personnel over recent years.
Former officials have noted that while efforts to upgrade the aviation security operations center have been ongoing, plans to transfer responsibilities to the ISA or Mossad have not materialized. The division is currently operating with a limited number of permanent staff, despite its critical role in ensuring security across multiple transportation sectors.
The identities and employment arrangements of officials overseeing the security system have also come under scrutiny. Reports indicate that some key personnel are not government employees but work through outsourcing arrangements, raising questions about accountability and oversight.
Clearance Granted
The latest disclosures reinforce concerns outlined in the NSC document, which has been under discussion for years. A cabinet decision in July 2021 addressed the division of responsibilities for flight security, but the issue remains contentious. Netanyahu's recent decision to maintain responsibility within the Transportation Ministry has not alleviated concerns about the ministry's capacity to manage security effectively.
The inspector appointed by the NSC chief will now be tasked with examining the entire chain of events, including unimplemented decisions, ignored warnings, and the ongoing debate over accountability. The central question remains how these failures allowed a pilot with extremist views to reach Israel and operate flights, culminating in an attempted attack that could have had catastrophic consequences.
