US Reviews Israel’s Visa Waiver Program After Flydubai Incident

US Reviews Israel’s Visa Waiver Program After Flydubai Flight Incident

The United States is reviewing Israel’s security screening procedures following an alleged attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073. This review is part of the ongoing assessment of Israel’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The incident, which occurred on September 30, 2026, involved an alleged attack by the co-pilot on the captain. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Delegation to Examine Israeli Screening

A U.S. delegation is expected to visit Israel to look closely at its advance screening processes. This visit comes after the delegation reportedly reviewed similar procedures in the United Arab Emirates. The main focus will be on whether Israel is meeting the security commitments it agreed to when it joined the Visa Waiver Program in 2023. These commitments include sharing identifying details about passengers and aircrew before they arrive in the country. The review is particularly interested in how information about foreign crew members is handled.

Israel’s Response to the Incident

Following the alleged attack, Israeli authorities began investigating how the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, was cleared to work on a flight heading to Israel. Questions have been raised about the screening of personnel, especially those from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israel’s Transportation Ministry stated that it does not conduct background checks on foreign pilots and did not have access to the crew list for the flight. The ministry indicated it had instructed Flydubai to carry out the necessary checks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a wider security review of all foreign airlines that operate flights to Israel. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has proposed a new measure requiring passengers and crew to submit an “aviation visa” or a specific information form at least 48 hours before departure. This proposed form would need approval from the Population and Immigration Authority. This suggestion aims to ensure that authorities receive and evaluate information about foreign flight personnel before their arrival.

Visa Waiver Program Status for Israeli Citizens

Despite the review, Israeli citizens have not lost their visa-free travel privileges to the United States. The Visa Waiver Program remains in effect for eligible Israeli visitors. They can still travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without needing a traditional visa, provided they obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Any change to this visa-free access would require a formal decision from the U.S. government.

Flydubai’s Request to Resume Flights

Flydubai has requested permission to restart its flights to Israel. The airline stated that its internal investigation was nearing completion and that employees involved had been dismissed. However, Israeli authorities had not yet approved the request at the time of reporting. This decision remains pending as officials continue to examine the security failures related to the flight.

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