Israel Opens Security Probe After Enemy State Aircrews Fly In Via UAE Routes
Israel's security apparatus launched a retroactive probe into foreign aircrews from enemy states entering via UAE airlines, admitting a severe intelligence failure following the Flight 1037 incident.
Israel's security establishment has launched an urgent retroactive investigation into whether aircrews from enemy states including Iran, Syria, Oman, and Iraq flew to Israel via various airlines, some operating out of the United Arab Emirates. Security officials acknowledged that the Flight 1037 incident constitutes a severe security failure by Israel's defense apparatus, stating that from Israel's perspective, the flight was effectively hijacked and the aircraft crashed, revealing a total collapse of intelligence and security perimeters.
Most of the criticism is directed at the security division and the management of the Ministry of Transport, including Minister Miri Regev. The ministry was obligated to ensure that aircrews holding dual citizenship—one of which is from an enemy state—did not enter Israel.
Security sources stated that the Mossad failed to monitor the pilot, who apparently acted as a lone wolf. A security official remarked, "There is no doubt this is a severe incident. It is a terror attack that, from the system's perspective, succeeded. If it turns out that Iran or another entity is behind the operative, this is a major failure for the Mossad and intelligence."
Additional criticism is aimed at the Shin Bet. The United Arab Emirates refused to allow the Shin Bet to install luggage and cargo inspection systems for flights heading to Israel, leading to a ban on Israeli carriers operating routes to the UAE. In practice, foreign airlines from the UAE were granted a monopoly on these routes, a move that is now revealed to have further endangered Israeli passengers.
