Israelis Could Lose Visa-Free Travel Privileges To US As Flydubai Lapses Put Waiver Program Under Review

Last Updated:October 07, 2026, 07:42 IST

Israel could face a US visa waiver review after security lapses exposed by the attempted terror attack on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, a report has claimed.

US To Review Israel Visa Waiver After Flydubai Security Failures (Photo: Reuters)

Israeli citizens could potentially lose their visa-free travel privileges to the United States after security lapses exposed by last week’s attempted terror attack aboard a flydubai flight raised questions over Israel’s compliance with the conditions of the US Visa Waiver Program, The Times of Israel has reported.

According to the report, a US delegation is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days to review whether Israeli authorities are meeting the security requirements agreed upon when the country joined the programme in 2023.

The delegation is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where it is examining aviation security procedures, the report cited Channel 12 as saying.

Israel joined the US Visa Waiver Program in 2023, allowing its citizens to travel to the US using an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), instead of going through the longer process of applying for a visa. The reported US review will examine whether Israel continues to comply with the security conditions attached to that arrangement.

Questions Over Foreign Crew Vetting

The Times of Israel reported that Israeli authorities have faced criticism over their monitoring of pilots and crew members from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Hebrew media reports cited leaked remarks from a closed-door Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee meeting as saying that around 1,240 such aircrew members had entered Israel over the past year.

The case of al-Hammami has raised particular concerns because, according to the Times of Israel report, he had expressed support for al-Qaeda on social media and had reportedly been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his extremist views.

Reuters reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said pilots who are citizens of countries with which Israel has no diplomatic relations, including Oman, are not permitted to operate flights to Israel.

Netanyahu subsequently ordered a security review of foreign airlines flying to the country.

Reuters also reported that Israeli authorities are now seeking to tighten checks on pilots flying into the country.

Security Warnings And Proposed Reforms

The report mentioned that the Transportation Ministry had previously rejected or failed to implement several proposals aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign aviation.

According to an Army Radio report cited by The Times of Israel, the Shin Bet and National Security Council proposed in 2025 that a Shin Bet official be assigned to the Transportation Ministry as its lead intelligence officer to help assess threats involving foreign and charter flights.

The ministry’s Security Division, headed by Avri Cohen, opposed the proposal, saying it did not want outside interference in its work.

The Shin Bet subsequently offered to host ministry officials for a multi-day seminar covering threat assessment, airport and aviation security and intelligence tools, but the seminar reportedly did not take place.

The National Security Council also reportedly urged the ministry to seek additional funding to modernise outdated systems at its Aviation Security Operations Center.

Although the ministry did not make the requested funding application, the Finance Ministry nevertheless allocated an additional NIS 10 million and 10 positions to the Security Division in the 2026 budget.

The report mentioned that the ministry received the money but had not filled the positions.

‘Aviation Visa’ Proposal Under Consideration

Transportation Minister Miri Regev has now reportedly sought NIS 40 million ($13 million) and 10 additional staff positions to enable her ministry to strengthen oversight of charter flights, the report mentioned.

Regev also reportedly proposed introducing a special “aviation visa” for passengers and crew arriving in Israel.

Under the proposal, approval would be issued by the Population and Immigration Authority 48 hours before departure, while citizens of countries designated as “red” would undergo additional screening by the Mossad and Shin Bet.

However, Channel 12 reported that officials viewed the proposal as unlikely to be adopted, partly because other countries could respond by imposing similar requirements on Israelis travelling abroad.

The reported US delegation’s review now adds an international dimension to the fallout from the flydubai incident.

While the review will focus on Israel’s compliance with the security requirements of the Visa Waiver Program, the timing comes as Israeli authorities face mounting questions over how an allegedly radicalised foreign co-pilot was able to operate a flight carrying a large number of Israelis to the country.

flydubai Attack Exposes Aviation Security Gaps

The review comes in the aftermath of the September 30 attack on flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli.

According to Reuters, the Omani co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe in what UAE authorities have described as a terrorist attack.

Passengers and crew eventually subdued him, while Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. Two off-duty pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then took control and landed the plane in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Reuters reported that two Israeli officials familiar with the investigation said al-Hammami told UAE interrogators that he had planned the attack before being hired by flydubai.

A third source briefed on the UAE investigation said he had also intended to hijack and crash an earlier Tel Aviv-bound flight he operated, but did not carry out the plan at that time.

The revelations have intensified scrutiny of how foreign airline crews are vetted before operating flights to Israel.

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Why are Israelis at risk of losing US visa-free travel privileges?

Israeli citizens could potentially lose their US visa-free travel privileges after security lapses exposed by an attempted terror attack on a flydubai flight raised questions over compliance with the US Visa Waiver Program.

What security lapses involving foreign flight crews were uncovered?

Israeli authorities faced criticism for monitoring pilots and crew from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel. Around 1,240 such aircrew members entered Israel over the past year, including an Omani co-pilot with extremist views who attacked a flight.

What actions did Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take following the flydubai incident?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that pilots who are citizens of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel are not permitted to operate flights to the country, and he ordered a security review of foreign airlines.

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About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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