A delegation from Israel’s Shin Bet security service has been in Dubai for several days it was revealed on Tuesday in an attempt to break a deadlock with local officials over security arrangements for Israeli airlines flying out of the emirate.
Shin Bet had threatened to ban Israeli airlines including flag carrier El Al, as well as Arkia and Israir Airlines, from operating flights to Dubai over the row. The deadline to urgently agree on new security arrangements was set to pass on Tuesday but Shin Bet will allow flights to continue while talks are ongoing.
Israel’s famed internal security service was at pains last week to point out that the dispute wasn’t political but “technical in nature“. As an interim measure, security officials were considering moving Dubai-bound flights to the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi where officials have agreed to the Israeli’s demands on security arrangements.
According to sources quoted by Israeli media, Emirati officials in Dubai have known about the security issues ever since low-cost airline Israir became the first Israeli airline to fly a direct commercial flight between Tel Aviv and Dubai in December 2020.
Walla News quoted one source who said Dubai had “been dragging its feet” on the issue and was refusing. tobe flexible.
Israeli airlines use their own security agents in foreign outposts to question and search passengers before they are allowed to board a flight to Tel Aviv. The security operation uses young Israeli security operatives who are stationed on secondment in international destinations.
A special security division of El Al manages the operation on behalf of all Israeli airlines at an annual cost of more than US$311.
In some destinations, Shin Bet demands the host country provide additional security over and above what any other airline would be afforded. This can range from bulletproof check-in counters to police escorts of Israeli planes from the gate to the runway.
Officials in Dubai, however, believe the Israeli’s shouldn’t be demanding what security arrangements are put in place. Local media claim the demands are “undermining the sovereignty” of Dubai.
