Netanyahu: Israeli Passengers Thwarted 9/11-Scale Disaster on Flydubai Flight

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli passengers aboard a Flydubai flight, along with the Indian pilot, prevented a catastrophe comparable to the 9/11 attacks. The incident involved an Omani co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the Indian pilot, with the co-pilot reportedly attempting to crash the plane. Netanyahu revealed in interviews with CNN and Fox News that Israel had no specific intelligence warnings about the event.

Netanyahu indicated that the investigation into the attacker's motives is ongoing, and while there is no concrete information linking Iran to the incident at this stage, Israel will seek to determine if Iran was involved. The attacker is reportedly under investigation in Saudi Arabia, and Israel has requested to participate in or monitor the inquiry. Netanyahu spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed following the incident, discussing aviation security and agreeing on Israel's involvement in the investigation.

Netanyahu praised the actions of an Israeli passenger who entered the cockpit and helped subdue the attacker, describing the passenger's actions as "amazing courage." He recounted the passenger saying, "I simply had to do it. His family was there, and there were 174 passengers, most of them Israelis. He had to save them." He humorously concluded, "If your plane is hijacked next time, make sure an Israeli sits next to you."

Earlier statements from Netanyahu described the co-pilot stabbing the pilot as the plane approached its destination, causing it to enter a dive. An Israeli passenger reportedly entered the cockpit with a crew member to control the co-pilot who was attempting to sabotage the aircraft's systems.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant characterized the incident as a "jihadist attack attempt," attributing its foiling solely to the bravery of Israeli passengers who entered the cockpit, physically subdued the attacker, and restored control to other crew members. Initial information suggests the attacker's sole objective was to crash the plane with all its occupants. The Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) has granted temporary approval for Israeli airlines to operate flights to the UAE.