Israel's main airlines will resume all flights to Dubai after a dispute between the Shin Bet security agency and the Dubai authorities over security measures was resolved, the Shin Bet announced Friday.
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Such flights were significantly decreased in early February when security authorities in Dubai told foreign airlines they would be making changes to airport security, which the Shin Bet found unacceptable. The agency, which is responsible for safeguarding Israeli airlines and passengers abroad, said at the time that it was unable to provide Israel's airlines with the necessary security in Dubai due to disagreements with local authorities.
The matter was resolved following a series of meetings between Israeli and Emirati officials on Thursday, in continuation of last week's meetings between Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and his Emirati counterpart. The parties involved agreed on shared work principles and security arrangements.
Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli welcomed the announcement, saying "With hard work behind the scenes, we have succeeded in resolving the aviation crisis with Dubai and Israeli flights will continue. Israel's ties with the United Arab Emirates are vital and important to the national security of Israel. I commend the fact that efforts by the Shin Bed and the eminent interlocutors who tirelessly sought agreements maintained the aviation connection between the two countries."
El AL CEO Avigal Sorek concurred.
"I would like to thank the diplomatic echelon and the Shin Bet for their efforts to resolve the crisis. We've had to cancel a number of flights every day and find alternative solutions for passengers and now we can provide a stable and high quality service that El Al customers expect," she said.
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