Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Flydubai Attack Prompts Review of Israel’s US Visa Waiver Compliance
Israel lets eligible citizens travel to the United States for short visits using an online travel approval instead of a regular visa.
To keep this arrangement, Israel must meet security rules.
A US team is reportedly expected to visit Israel to check those rules.
The review follows an incident on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, and the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
The incident raised questions about how foreign airline crews are checked.
Israeli authorities say the airline had been told to carry out required checks, but reports describe gaps in the process.
The United States has not publicly said it is taking action against Israel’s status.
A US delegation is reportedly expected to visit Israel to assess its compliance with Visa Waiver Program security requirements.
The review follows the September 30 attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, in which Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain.
The incident has raised questions about whether Israeli authorities received and reviewed information about foreign passengers and aircrew.
Israeli authorities say flydubai was instructed to conduct required crew checks, while reports say Israel’s Transportation Ministry does not conduct foreign-pilot background checks and lacked the flight’s crew list.
Israel joined the program in 2023; no public US action against its status has been announced, and the reported aviation-visa proposal is considered unlikely by some officials.
- Who
- A reported US delegation and Israeli authorities; the incident involved flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and captain Smit Machchhar.
- What
- The United States is reportedly reviewing Israel’s compliance with Visa Waiver Program security requirements after an alleged cockpit attack.
- When
- The flight incident occurred September 30; the reports were published October 7, 2026.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Saudi Arabia; the US delegation was reportedly in the United Arab Emirates before its expected visit to Israel.
- Why
- The incident raised questions about how information on arriving passengers and aircrew is shared, reviewed, and used to vet foreign crews.
Case for stronger security checks
Concerns about proposed controls
Foreign crew vetting
Case for stronger security checks
The alleged attack and reported gaps have prompted calls for stronger checks and closer review of foreign airline crews.
Concerns about proposed controls
Israeli authorities say flydubai had been instructed to conduct required checks and had confirmed restrictions on crew assignments for flights to Israel.
Aviation visa proposal
Case for stronger security checks
Transportation Minister Miri Regev reportedly proposed a special aviation visa and additional screening for passengers and crew from designated countries.
Concerns about proposed controls
Channel 12 reportedly said officials viewed the proposal as unlikely to be adopted, partly because other countries might impose similar requirements on Israelis.
- Program entry
- Israel joined the US Visa Waiver Program in 2023.
- Travel authorization
- Eligible Israeli travelers use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), subject to approval.
- Flight
- flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- Incident date
- September 30, 2026.
- Co-pilot
- Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was accused of attacking the captain with a cockpit axe.
- Landing
- The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Foreign aircrew figure
- Hebrew media reports cited around 1,240 aircrew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel entering the country over the prior year.
- US position
- The reports say the United States had not publicly announced action against Israel’s Visa Waiver Program status.
