Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the Omani co-pilot who allegedly stabbed his captain aboard an Israel-bound flydubai flight had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal, after Israeli passengers intervened to stop the attack.
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Key facts
- An Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed his captain in an apparent attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight from Dubai.
- Israeli passengers intervened to restrain the co-pilot during the attack on Wednesday.
- A reserve crew stabilised the plummeting plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.
- Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal.
- The alleged attacker is being interrogated by Saudi security services as an investigation opens.
The Omani co-pilot who allegedly stabbed his captain in an apparent attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight from Dubai had previously undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has claimed, according to the Guardian.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel. During the attack, Israeli passengers intervened to stop the assault, restraining the co-pilot while the situation unfolded in the cockpit.
A reserve crew aboard the plane was able to stabilise the aircraft as it plummeted and ultimately landed it safely in Saudi Arabia, the Guardian reported. The intervention appears to have averted a potential crash.
The alleged attacker is being interrogated by Saudi security services as an investigation into the apparent crash attempt opens, according to the Guardian.
Netanyahu’s characterisation of the co-pilot’s background and motivations has not been independently confirmed in the available reporting, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The reporting also indicates that flydubai has halted all flights to Israel in the wake of the incident, though further details on the airline’s decision were not provided.
Why it matters
An apparent attempt to crash a commercial passenger flight raises serious concerns about aviation security and crew vetting. The incident also carries significant geopolitical weight given the Israeli prime minister's public claims and the involvement of passengers, crew and security services across multiple countries.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on the flydubai flight?
According to the Guardian, an Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed his captain in an apparent attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight from Dubai. Israeli passengers intervened to restrain him and a reserve crew stabilised and safely landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.
What did Netanyahu say about the co-pilot?
Israel's prime minister claimed the co-pilot had previously undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal, the Guardian reported.
Where is the alleged attacker now?
The alleged attacker is being interrogated by Saudi security services as an investigation into the apparent crash attempt opens, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Co-pilot in flight stabbing had ‘Islamic radical indoctrination’, says Netanyahu
The Guardian World: Alleged flydubai attacker interrogated by Saudi security services as investigation into apparent crash attempt opens The Omani co-pilot who stabbed his captain in an apparent attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight from Dubai had previously undergone radical Islamist indoctrinati