Israel Faces Potential U.S. Visa Waiver Review Over Crew Screening Failure

Israel is concerned that the United States may reassess its compliance with the Visa Waiver Program after a co‑pilot from Oman, who was on a flydubai flight to Israel, was not properly screened, a source told Walla late Wednesday.

According to the source, the agreement with the United States requires Israel to receive and review all information on arriving passengers and crew members.

The incident has raised concerns that Israel may have failed to meet that requirement, potentially prompting U.S. authorities to assess whether Israel remains eligible for the program.

A senior U.S. State Department official told Walla that the department does not comment in advance on possible actions, as a general matter.

The concern stems from the attempted hijacking on flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, in which the Omani co‑pilot attacked his captain with a cockpit axe. This raises questions about how he passed screening procedures and was cleared to serve on the flight crew bound for Israel.

Israel joined the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2023. To remain in the program, it must continue to satisfy the conditions set by the United States.

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