Flydubai payments to Israeli aviation security official exposed as Trump points to Iran

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1. 55m ago

   Flydubai payments to Israeli aviation security official exposed

   An Israeli aviation security official, Dvir Rubinstein, received payments from flydubai while overseeing the airline's security clearance. This has raised concerns about a conflict of interest and potential security breaches. The issue has sparked an investigation and criticism of the Israeli government's handling of the matter.

   Why it matters

   The incident has significant implications for Israel's aviation security, particularly in light of a recent attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight. The event has also drawn attention to the country's reliance on foreign airlines and its visa waiver program with the US.

   What is confirmed

   • Israeli aviation security official Dvir Rubinstein worked for foreign airlines, including flydubai. (Ynetnews, The Jerusalem Post)
   • The Israeli Transportation Ministry rejected offers of help from Shin Bet to strengthen security. (The Times of Israel, The Jerusalem Post)
   • The US may review Israel's visa waiver program due to security concerns. (The Times of Israel)

   Still unconfirmed

   • Israeli authorities were ready to shoot down the flydubai flight following the attempted hijacking. (i24NEWS)

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of the investigation into Rubinstein's payments and the Israeli government's response.
   • The impact on Israel's visa waiver program with the US.
   • The resumption of flydubai flights to Israel.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. jpost.com — Israel's Transport Ministry denies role in vetting pilots as flydubai hijacking probe unfolds
   2. CNN — Alleged Flydubai hijacking attempt exposes worrying gaps in aviation security
   3. Ynetnews — Flydubai payments to Israeli aviation security official exposed as Trump points to Iran
   4. The Washington Post — Israel orders security review of incoming flights after co-pilot attack
   5. The Times of Israel — Former NSC head pans Netanyahu’s ‘crooked’ flydubai probe, says buck stops with him
   6. The Times of Israel — Most Arkia and Israir flights use planes and crews leased from foreign airlines, in arrangement okayed by PM
   7. The Times of Israel — Dubai repatriation flights to be completed on Thursday, Transportation Ministry says
   8. The Jerusalem Post — Transportation Ministry official worked for flydubai, add'l airlines he oversaw
   9. The Jerusalem Post — Transport Ministry rejected Shin Bet help in securing flights before flydubai hijacking - report
   10. The Times of Israel — Transportation Ministry snubbed offers of help from Shin Bet, didn't use new funds to strengthen security division -- report
   11. The Times of Israel — Daily Briefing Oct. 6 – Echoes of Oct. 7 in the failures exposed by flydubai near-disaster
   12. jpost.com — State to help fund flights bringing Israelis home from Dubai
   confidence 80%