Security Breach at Ben-Gurion: What Was Missed at the Checkpoint

An Israeli tourist was detained in Sofia after a live M-16 rifle cartridge was found in his luggage. A week earlier, he had passed through Ben-Gurion security screening without detection, exposing a critical flaw. Thanks to intervention by the Foreign Ministry led by Gideon Sa'ar, the man was released hours before Shabbat. Reports indicate a series of similar incidents at European airports.

An Israeli tourist was detained at Sofia Airport after a live M-16 rifle cartridge was discovered in his travel bag. The incident occurred after the man arrived in Bulgaria from Israel. According to preliminary information, the cartridge was accidentally left in his belongings after reserve military duty, and the owner was unaware of its presence. A week earlier, the same passenger had passed pre-flight security at Ben-Gurion Airport, and the equipment did not detect the dangerous item, exposing a critical gap in the control system. After the arrest, contact with the tourist was lost, his relatives were in shock, and Sofia airport staff refused to provide information. The family urgently flew to Israel. The situation was resolved thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the head of the ministry, Gideon Sa'ar, held urgent talks, and the Israeli was released hours before Shabbat. Until his flight, he was under the care of the local Chabad center and returned to Ben-Gurion the next day. It is noted that over the past week, a series of similar findings have been recorded at European airports, and foreign services have demanded explanations from Israeli authorities.