What Happened on the Flydubai Flight?

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly dropped more than 17,000 feet after a pilot was attacked.

Passengers and crew managed to stop the attacker, and the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu described the incident as extremely unusual, saying it was like something from a movie but actually happened in real life.

Netanyahu on the Attacker

Netanyahu said the attacker was an Omani national and that investigators found signs of what he described as Islamist radicalization.

He also said the attacker asked the crew to kill him after being restrained.

Netanyahu said it was still too early to confirm the exact motive or whether anyone else was involved.

Investigation Underway

UAE authorities are investigating whether the incident was connected to terrorism.

Netanyahu also said there appeared to have been a security loophole that allowed the Omani national to be involved in the flight and said Israel and the UAE were working together on the issue.

Indian Pilot Praised

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was injured in the attack and was praised by Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his courage.

Indian officials said the pilot was recovering well.

Iran Connection Unclear

When asked whether Iran was involved in the incident, Netanyahu said it was “too early to say.”

No confirmed Iranian involvement was presented in his remarks.

Netanyahu Discusses Oman

Netanyahu also spoke about Oman and its late leader, Sultan Qaboos.

He said Qaboos had invited him to Oman several years ago and suggested that relations between Oman and Israel could have developed further under his leadership.

Oman and the Abraham Accords

Netanyahu said he believed Oman might have become another partner in the Abraham Accords if Sultan Qaboos had remained alive.

He said Oman’s current leadership has been more distant toward Israel and that he could not yet say how relations might develop.

Key Points

  • Netanyahu said the Flydubai attacker showed signs of what he called Islamist radical indoctrination.
  • The plane dropped more than 17,000 feet before passengers and crew stopped the attacker.
  • The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
  • UAE authorities are investigating a possible terrorism connection.
  • Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is recovering from his injuries.
  • Netanyahu said there is no confirmed Iranian connection yet.
  • Netanyahu said Oman’s late Sultan Qaboos had previously invited him to Oman.
  • He said Oman might have joined the Abraham Accords under Qaboos.
  • Netanyahu said Oman’s current leadership is more distant toward Israel.

Source

Statements attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and information from the reported investigation.