Israeli Passengers Safe After Foiled Jihadist Attack on Flydubai Flight

All Israeli passengers aboard a Flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia due to a suspected hijacking attempt have agreed to board a replacement aircraft and continue to Israel. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon when the co-pilot, identified as being from Oman, allegedly attacked the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held further security and aviation consultations, was en route to Ben Gurion Airport as the situation unfolded.

The replacement Flydubai plane landed in Saudi Arabia, but some passengers initially refused to reboard, citing fear. Earlier, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had instructed the IDF to send military planes for the passengers, but this was not implemented as Saudi Arabia did not permit Israeli aircraft to land. The flight's departure was delayed while the Mossad vetted the replacement crew, a process completed shortly before 5 PM, after which passengers agreed to board.

Israeli efforts involved both securing the passengers' return via Flydubai and attempting to persuade Saudi authorities to allow a chartered, unmarked Israeli plane to collect them in Tabuk. These efforts were ultimately unsuccessful due to the Saudi refusal and the passengers' agreement to fly with Flydubai. Israel's Ambassador to the UAE, Yossi Shelly, played a role in convincing hesitant passengers.

Initial assessments suggest the co-pilot intended to crash the plane, potentially motivated by a jihadist ideology. Reports indicate the co-pilot may have stabbed the pilot with an emergency axe from the cockpit during the struggle. Security checks are stringent for all aircrew, and the possibility of Iranian involvement is being investigated, though no proof currently exists.

Prime Minister Netanyahu described the event as a "very serious security incident," stating the co-pilot "stabbed the other pilot and, apparently, tried to crash the plane." He praised the passengers and crew who intervened, neutralizing the attacker and stabilizing the aircraft. Defense Minister Gallant explicitly called it a "jihadist terrorist attempt" and suggested it was linked to intelligence-based warnings about potential attacks before elections.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev demanded an immediate halt to Flydubai flights to Israel, citing a breach of aviation agreements. She also called for Israeli airlines to be permitted to fly to Dubai with Israeli security screening. The incident caused Israeli airline stocks, El Al and Israir, to surge on the stock exchange, with expectations that passengers may now prefer Israeli carriers due to enhanced security.