Netanyahu: Israeli Passengers Averted 9/11-Scale Disaster on Dubai Flight

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in interviews with CNN and Fox News that Israeli passengers aboard a flight from Dubai, who intervened when a co-pilot attacked the pilot, "managed to prevent a disaster on the scale of September 11th." He described the incident, where the co-pilot stabbed the pilot, as a situation where "the good guys won this time." Netanyahu informed U.S. President Donald Trump about the heroic actions, emphasizing the potential global aviation impact had the attack succeeded.

Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had no prior intelligence warning regarding the incident. While there is currently no specific information linking Iran to the attack, he asserted, "We will soon know if Iran was connected to this. We will get to the root of this attacker, if he had partners and if Iran stood behind him." The assailant, an Omani co-pilot, is currently being investigated in Saudi Arabia.

Israel will monitor and potentially participate in the investigation, an agreement reached during a call between Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. The UAE President had called to inquire about the passengers' well-being and offer assistance. The leaders discussed flight security, with Netanyahu announcing an agreement to overhaul security measures and bin Zayed's immediate consent to involve Israel in the investigation.

Recounting the terrifying moments for the 174 passengers, including 30 children, as the plane plunged, Netanyahu shared that passengers were praying, believing they were about to die. He specifically praised passenger Yaniv Hayun for his courage, who told Netanyahu he acted to save his family and the other passengers. Netanyahu concluded by advising the global public, "If next time your plane is hijacked, make sure there is an Israeli sitting next to you."