Fast Draw – Positive Code

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Israel has a spineless government, caving in at the smallest of pressures. Now its the agreement, in principle, to compensate Turkey for terrorist acts conducted by Turkish citizens, but there are many more examples. This morning an Ethiopian passenger plane was hijacked, eventually landing in Geneva. Those who thought plane hijacks were a thing of the past were proven wrong. Israel, though, who understands the danger more than most countries, caved in, bowed down to foreign interests.

About two years ago Israel’s government proved again that its decisions are meaningless. Our government makes a fool of itself and the entire country every time it makes a decision that isn’t implemented. This case is a new record.

It raises the question of where, if at all, is the line separating security considerations from foreign diplomatic and business considerations. This became central to the issue of equipping every incoming plane with a system that could make sure the original pilot is the one controlling the aircraft, rather than a terrorist pointing a gun at him. The decision to make it mandatory for pilots to use the system was made a few years ago.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The system, developed by Elbit, got the name “Positive Code”. There were trial runs in a few airlines, but when the time came for full implementation it turned out that the pilots themselves didn’t want it. First IATA objected, then other international pilot organizations and finally the Israeli pilots union.

Even so, the Ministry of Transportation announced that the system will be implemented. This stopped when Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority received a harsh letter of objection from the EU transportation commission. According to the letter sent to CAA Director Giora Rom the system will be a distraction for European pilots during critical moments. The letter’s writers detailed several other reasons, but it was clear that Europe considers the system superfluous. It was a polite message, but still an uncompromising “no”.

A difficult dilemma for the Israeli Ministry of Transportation. While it could stand firm and demand the EU’s cooperation, this could have led to aviation boycotts and limitations on Israeli airlines operating in Europe.

Israel didn’t even wait to see what happens, the government just backed off. This government makes important decisions, but lacks the drive to see them implemented. Every junior EU official makes our government shake in its boots. A new low for Israel.