Israel Police have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected conflicts of interest involving two senior figures in the Transportation Ministry’s aviation security apparatus, following revelations that emerged in the aftermath of the attempted terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight 1073.

The investigation centers on two officials involved in Israel’s aviation security system, including one who allegedly received private payments from Flydubai while simultaneously holding a position that involved oversight and security-related responsibilities concerning foreign airlines operating flights to Israel.

One of the officials under scrutiny is Avri Cohen, head of the Transportation Ministry’s Security, Cyber and Emergency Division.

According to Israeli media reports, Cohen spent years simultaneously serving as a reserve security officer in Israel’s overseas aviation security network, receiving separate compensation for that work while holding his senior Transportation Ministry position.

The Transportation Ministry initially said Cohen’s additional employment had been approved when he entered his position in 2018. However, it subsequently emerged that the required authorization from Israel’s Civil Service Commission had apparently never been issued.

The Civil Service Commission said Cohen had not submitted a request for the required permit, while the Transportation Ministry acknowledged that it had not forwarded such a request on his behalf.

Following the revelations, the ministry ordered Cohen to discontinue the additional work unless and until the necessary authorization is granted.

Police are also reportedly examining the activities of Dvir Rubinstein, who manages the Transportation Ministry’s Aviation Security Operations Center.

Unlike Cohen, Rubinstein is not a government employee and provides services to the ministry through an outsourcing arrangement. At the same time, he operates a private company and provides consulting and training services in the aviation and security fields.

According to the reports, Rubinstein provided paid consulting and training services to foreign airlines — including Flydubai and Emirates — while his work for the Transportation Ministry involved approvals and security matters relating to foreign carriers seeking to operate flights to Israel.

The alleged financial relationship with Flydubai has drawn particular scrutiny following the attempted terror attack aboard Flight 1073, in which the copilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to bring down the aircraft while it was carrying Israeli passengers.

The dramatic incident has triggered broader questions in Israel regarding security oversight of foreign airlines, vetting procedures for foreign flight crews, and the division of responsibility between the Transportation Ministry and Israel’s security agencies.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)