Israeli Authorities Trade Blame for Failure to Flag FlyDubai Co-Pilot

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1. 1h ago

   Israel Authorities Trade Blame Over FlyDubai Vetting

   Israeli authorities are trading blame over failures to flag a FlyDubai co-pilot who planned a suicide crash into Tel Aviv. The suspect, an Omani national identified as Hammam al-Hammami, is currently in custody in the United Arab Emirates. Following the attack, Israel's Transport Ministry denied its role in vetting foreign pilots, admitting that the country does not independently vet foreign commercial flight crews. Reports indicate that foreign crew data went unchecked for about two years despite previous warnings.

   Why it matters

   The incident has exposed a significant security gap in Israeli aviation protocols, separating the strict vetting applied to private flight pilots from foreign commercial airline crews. Al-Qaeda supporters have since hailed the attacker and urged copycat strikes on Israeli and American planes. Israeli officials believe the suspect radicalized and acted alone as a lone wolf.

   What is confirmed

   • The FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash a packed plane into an Israeli airport or building over months.
   • Israel's Transport Ministry admitted it does not independently vet foreign pilots and that foreign crew data went unchecked for about two years.
   • The Omani national involved in the attack is in custody in the United Arab Emirates.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The co-pilot planned a 9/11-style attack where he would kill the captain, fly normally, and then crash at Ben Gurion.
   • Al-Qaeda supporters hailed the attacker and urged copycat strikes on Israeli and US planes, though no evidence shows he acted for Al-Qaeda.

   What to watch next

   • Further official investigations into aviation security gaps and foreign flight vetting procedures.
   • Decisions regarding policy changes for screening foreign airline crews entering Israeli airspace.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Times — Israeli Authorities Trade Blame for Failure to Flag FlyDubai Co-Pilot
   2. jpost.com — Israel's Transport Ministry denies role in vetting pilots as flydubai hijacking probe unfolds
   3. Haaretz — After flydubai attack, Israel admits it doesn't independently vet foreign pilots
   4. Ynetnews — Flydubai attack exposes security gap: Israel vets private-flight pilots, not foreign airline crews
   5. The Times of Israel — Despite years of warnings, Transportation Ministry wasn’t vetting foreign flights – report
   6. www.yahoo.com — Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport or building, reports say
   7. www.yahoo.com — FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash jet into Israeli airport, official says
   8. elderofziyon.blogspot.com — 10/05 Links Pt2: ‘An entire nation bows its head and mourns’: Israel marks memorial day for Oct. 7; I....
   9. www.straitstimes.com — Flydubai co-pilot’s chilling 9/11-style plan: Kill captain, fly normally – then crash at Ben Gurion
   10. www.ynetnews.com — Al-Qaeda supporters hail flydubai attacker, urge copycat strikes on Israeli, US plane - ynetglobal
   11. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Judge cites flydubai cockpit stabbing during airport mosque case hearing | Kolkata News
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