Israel Probes Whether Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian Dual Nationals Flew Into Country

JERUSALEM, Oct 3: Israeli authorities are investigating whether pilots holding dual nationality, including Iranian, Iraqi or Syrian citizenship, may have flown into Israel in recent years, Channel 12 reported Saturday, as scrutiny of aviation security intensifies following the attempted attack aboard a Flydubai flight.

According to the report, Israeli authorities are examining whether pilots who hold Israeli-permitted nationalities in addition to citizenship from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel were allowed to land at Ben Gurion Airport. The inquiry is reportedly focused on pilots holding Iranian, Syrian or Iraqi citizenship alongside another nationality.

The investigation follows reports that dozens of Omani pilots had previously flown into Israel on Flydubai flights despite restrictions concerning pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Channel 12 previously reported that Israeli authorities had relied largely on airlines to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

The scrutiny intensified after the September 30 Flydubai FZ1073 incident, when Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit while the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was en route to Israel. Passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, and the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The UAE Attorney General said Saturday that the investigation found the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a “terrorist attack”, attacking the captain with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft. Authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect's motive and whether he had any connections to others.

Channel 12 also reported that the suspect had previously flown the Dubai-Tel Aviv route and that Israeli authorities were examining how he was cleared to operate flights to Israel.