The dimensions of the failure revealed: the astronomical number of crew members from hostile countries who entered Israel
In a Knesset discussion following the Flydubai incident, it was revealed that since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200 aircrew members from countries without diplomatic relations, including Lebanon, Syria, and Oman, entered Israel. The security establishment admitted to a significant failure in security and intelligence systems, and the Ministry of Transport stated that it did not receive the pilots' names and that security screening relies solely on the airline's declaration.
In a Knesset discussion held today (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) following the Flydubai incident, it was revealed that since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200 aircrew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel, including Lebanon, Syria, and Oman, entered Israel. The security establishment admitted that the incident exposed a significant failure in security and intelligence systems, and security officials described the event as a failure. The Security Division of the Ministry of Transport stated in an unusual briefing that it did not receive the names of the pilots on the Flydubai flight, and that in general, security and intelligence screening of aircrews relies solely on the airline's declaration, in accordance with international regulations. Concurrently, a retroactive check of the entry of foreign crew members into Israel is being conducted to determine if pilots from enemy countries entered Ben Gurion Airport. The article uses the term "failure" to describe the event and quotes official sources confirming the failure.