Good evening. Today's briefing covers fresh revelations about the flydubai hijacking plot that targeted Ben Gurion Airport, Prime Minister Netanyahu's response to the security lapse, continued military activity in Gaza, and a deepening crisis within the UK's Green Party following a controversial vote. We also look at developments surrounding Iran's nuclear negotiations and a terror plot targeting a Manchester synagogue.

Security

New details from the interrogation of Omani pilot Hamam al-Hammami reveal the flydubai hijacker had planned a mass-casualty attack on Ben Gurion Airport since as early as July, scouting which airlines flew to Tel Aviv. According to Israeli sources, al-Hammami researched his target, intended to kill the captain, and considered crashing the aircraft into either the airport or a Tel Aviv skyscraper. He reportedly seized control of the plane only once it reached Jordanian airspace, having delayed his original plan out of sympathy for a crew member. His backup target, if Ben Gurion proved unreachable, was an American military base in Jordan. An Israeli passenger, Tal, recounted the chaotic minutes when passengers found the cockpit empty and had to wake the pilots, after which an Israeli guard was posted with every crew member. Co-pilot al-Hammami, who studied at a UK university, attacked the captain with the cockpit's crash axe before being subdued. Five days after the incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the implementation of a 2024 state comptroller recommendation calling for a thorough review of security protocols for foreign airline flights into Israel, following the discovery of multiple security gaps that narrowly avoided a national catastrophe. Separately, the IDF confirmed the elimination of a Hamas operative in Gaza, Tzaker Nabil Mousa Kaisi, described as a 'humanitarian activist' who served in Hamas's Nukhba unit and maintained contact with Turkish officials and senior Hamas leadership. In the past two days, the IDF also eliminated a commander in Hamas's military wing and an operative from its surveillance apparatus.

Politics

The UK Green Party has been thrown into an antisemitism crisis after members overwhelmingly backed a hardline 'Zionism is racism' motion at their Brighton conference, by a vote of 1,022 to 813, making it the first mainstream European party to adopt such a position. The party was forced to open a 'safe room' for Jewish members who felt unsafe during the debate, with a dedicated phone line also made available. Leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, abstained from the vote while campaigning elsewhere and has declined to condemn the motion. Deputy leader Mothin Ali further inflamed tensions by appearing at a fringe event alongside a representative of Friends of Al Aqsa in apparent support of the motion, deepening fears of a major internal split.

International

Previously undisclosed details from the Biden administration reveal that officials seriously considered a strike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. A former senior adviser to President Biden said the president came close to taking 'draconian steps' against Israel following the deaths of aid workers in Gaza, before intelligence pointing to an 'unprecedented' Iranian attack prompted a change in course. Former official Brett McGurk said that halting US support for Israel at that moment would have escalated rather than resolved the crisis. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is still awaiting a final US position on its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting only a negotiated agreement can resolve the standoff, and that reopening the strait depends on conditions set by Iran. In the UK, two Iranian nationals, Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi, have been charged with preparing terrorist acts after allegedly identifying Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester as a target for a bomb plot against the Jewish community; both have been remanded in custody.

Other Developments

A memorial ceremony for the October 7 massacre was held in southern Israel at the Iron Swords Forest, attended by bereaved families, hostage survivors and security force representatives. The head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, who lost several family members in the attack, spoke of his enduring pain while affirming his family's choice to embrace life. Ahead of the third anniversary of October 7, the 'Awake Jerusalem' festival will bring Christian leaders from 51 nations to the Tower of David as part of a ten-day Eagles' Wings delegation that has brought over 550 Christian leaders to Israel. An Israeli football team will wear black armbands during a match against Ireland in honour of October 7 victims, following UEFA approval. Singer Eyal Golan and David Tahar, father of fallen soldier Sergeant Adir Tahar, launched a furious attack on filmmakers behind a recent film, calling them 'traitorous terrorists' and demanding legal action.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel