Israel Orders Security Review of Incoming International Flights

Israel has ordered a comprehensive security review of international flights arriving in the country following the Flydubai incident involving Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed National Security Council chief Shmuel Ben Ezra to appoint an examiner to review security arrangements for foreign airlines operating flights to Israel.

The incident has raised questions over the vetting of foreign airline crew after al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the Tel Aviv-bound flight. Israeli reports have also questioned how a pilot from Oman, a country without diplomatic relations with Israel, was cleared for the route. Transport Minister Miri Regev rejected suggestions of a security failure and said responsibility for the security of incoming foreign flights should lie with intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet.