Netanyahu Orders Security Review of Foreign Airlines Flying to Israel

The move comes days after the dramatic incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

By United with Israel Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a comprehensive review of security procedures surrounding foreign civilian flights to Israel following last week’s attempted attack aboard a flydubai flight.

Netanyahu instructed National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben Ezra to appoint an examiner to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of security involving foreign civilian aviation to Israel, the Prime Minister’s Office announced Sunday.

The move comes days after the dramatic incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which Israeli officials have characterized as an attempted terrorist attack.

During the flight, the captain was attacked by his co-pilot and the aircraft rapidly lost altitude before passengers and crew intervened. The plane was ultimately diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Defense Minister Israel Katz has described the incident as an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” while Netanyahu said Israeli authorities had information indicating that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination.”

The incident has prompted questions in Israel over the security procedures applied to foreign airlines and flight crews operating routes to the country.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev also met with UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja to discuss the investigation into the flydubai incident, the regulation of flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and other issues currently under consideration.

The UAE has opened its own investigation into the incident, including whether the attack involved terrorist activity, prior planning or outside direction.

Senior Emirati official Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, subsequently publicly described what occurred aboard the flight as a “dangerous terrorist act” and praised the Indian captain for helping avert a potential catastrophe.

Netanyahu’s newly ordered review will examine the broader security arrangements governing foreign civilian aviation to Israel as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the flydubai attack.