Transport Ministry employee vetting foreign airline security also freelanced for flydubai - report

This report came one day after N12 found that the official provided services to the Transportation Ministry through an outsourcing arrangement and was not a state employee.

Dvir Rubinstein, the Transportation Ministry official responsible for overseeing security arrangements involving foreign airlines flying to Israel, received payments from flydubai for private training services he provided to the carrier, N12 reported on Monday.

Rubinstein is described as the director of the Transportation Ministry's Aviation Security Operations Center and is responsible for supervising foreign airlines, according to the report.

At the same time, N12 reported that Rubinstein provided private consulting and training services to foreign airlines that fell under his professional oversight, including flydubai and Emirates, raising questions about a possible conflict of interest.

The report comes amid scrutiny of Israel's oversight of foreign airlines following the attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Israel last week.

N12 reported that Rubinstein is not a civil servant, despite serving in the senior aviation security role on behalf of the Transportation Ministry. He works for the ministry through an outsourcing arrangement while holding other positions.

Rubinstein owns a private company called Dvir, through which he provides various services, and has also served as a senior security lecturer at Sigma 005 College, which N12 said is managed by the police.

Rubinstein also reportedly traveled to UAE to work with Emirates, flydubai

According to N12, Rubinstein's work also included traveling to the United Arab Emirates to privately conduct training for Emirates and flydubai before returning to Israel and continuing to oversee matters involving those airlines on behalf of the Transportation Ministry.

A description of Rubinstein's position presented as part of one of his lectures stated that he was "responsible for all security approvals and permits required for every airline and flight seeking to enter Israel, both in advance and in real time."

"In addition, he advises airlines around the world that operate flights to Israel," the description stated.

N12 characterized the overlap between Rubinstein's regulatory responsibilities and his private work for the airlines as a potential serious conflict of interest.

On Sunday, N12 reported that Rubinstein provided services to the ministry through an outsourcing arrangement and was not a state employee.

"Dvir Rubinstein provides services to the Transportation Ministry as part of an outsourcing arrangement and is not a civil servant. His additional occupations were approved in accordance with the law and are carried out outside his working hours under his engagement with the ministry," the ministry told N12.

Rubinstein and the Transportation Ministry did not respond to N12 for Monday's follow-up report.