First publication: 1,240 aircrew members from hostile countries landed in Israel

Data revealed in a discussion of the Subcommittee on Intelligence shows that since the beginning of the year, 1,240 aircrew members from countries without diplomatic relations have entered Israel. The discussion took place against the backdrop of the Flydubai terror flight incident, in which a co-pilot attacked the captain.

Unusual data was revealed today in a discussion of the Subcommittee on Intelligence of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, chaired by MK Boaz Bismuth: since the beginning of the year until today, 1,240 aircrew members from countries that have no diplomatic relations with the State of Israel have entered Israel. Among the crew members who entered are pilots and co-pilots. The discussion dealt with the issue of supervision and security checks of incoming aircrews. Committee Chairman MK Boaz Bismuth said after the discussion that "the face of civil aviation in Israel will change from today" and that all relevant parties will be required to complete internal checks. The background to the discussion is the Flydubai terror flight, in which the co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit and tried to take control of the plane. The Indian captain, Smith Machchar, fought him and was injured, and Israeli passengers helped subdue the suspect. Following the incident, an investigation was opened in the United Arab Emirates with the participation of Shin Bet personnel.