Netanyahu orders full security review of foreign flights to Israel after flydubai hijacking attempt
Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a comprehensive review of security on foreign flights into Israel after the attempted flydubai hijacking, as Israel's own transport officials admitted procedures did not address the threat from a pilot.
Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a comprehensive security review of all international flights into Israel after an Omani co-pilot’s attempted hijacking of a Dubai–Tel Aviv flydubai flight (CNN, Arab News).
On Sunday evening, the Israeli prime minister instructed the head of the National Security Council to carry out a “thorough examination” of all aspects of the security of foreign civil aviation coming into Israel, CNN reported. A statement from Netanyahu’s office said the NSC chief, Shmuel Ben Ezra, would appoint an examiner to conduct the review (Arab News).
The order exposes uncomfortable admissions from Israel’s own officials. The Transport Ministry told reporters on Saturday that it relies on foreign airlines’ commitment to international regulations and signed declarations that each carrier’s pilots and crews have been vetted — and said its procedures “do not address the threat from a pilot” (CNN).
The suspected co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, was removed from Oman Air last year over concerns about his extremist views, sources told CNN. The UAE confirmed on Saturday that he used the cockpit’s crash axe in the attack, rather than smuggling a knife on board. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on September 30; the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia are all investigating, according to CNN.
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