Blame Shifts in Israel Following flydubai Hijacking Attempt

Government and security agencies traded blame after it emerged that the co-pilot had landed at Ben-Gurion Airport just one week prior to the incident.

Government officials and security agencies have begun exchanging accusations and deflecting responsibility following the attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, news website Srugim and The Jerusalem Post reported. The dispute escalated after revelations that the co-pilot, Hammam al-Hamami, had previously visited Israel and landed at Ben-Gurion Airport just one week before the flight.

Transport Minister Miri Regev rejected criticism directed at her office, stating that responsibility lies with intelligence agencies. In an interview with public broadcaster Kan, Regev asserted that the crew manifest was not forwarded to her ministry and emphasized that intelligence services, rather than transport authorities, are responsible for identifying and vetting flight crews.

Further details regarding the security review and screening protocols at the airport have not yet been released.