Netanyahu: No Prior Intel on Flydubai Plot, Iran Link Under Investigation
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel had no prior intelligence on the Flydubai flight hijacking attempt.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu is investigating a potential Iranian connection to the incident.
- The Indian pilot and Israeli passengers are credited with preventing a major disaster.
- The incident is officially classified as a terror attack by Israel.
- Israel will monitor and potentially participate in the investigation in Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in interviews with American media networks that Israel had no prior intelligence regarding the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight. He also indicated that Israel would soon know if Iran was involved in the incident. "What distinguishes this event from other tragic attacks is that this time, the good guys won," Netanyahu told CNN, comparing the averted disaster to the scale of the September 11th attacks.
Netanyahu revealed that the Indian pilot, Smit Machchar, who was stabbed by the co-pilot during the flight and is fighting for his life, along with Israeli passengers who helped subdue the attacker, prevented a catastrophe. He mentioned speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump about the "amazing act of heroism" that averted a disaster with potential global aviation implications.
The Prime Minister clarified that Israel had no specific intelligence warning of the event and that the investigation is ongoing. He emphasized that while the perpetrator is being investigated in Saudi Arabia, and Israel will monitor and possibly participate, it is too early to confirm an Iranian connection. "We will get to the root of this attacker, if he had partners and if Iran stood behind him. I think we will find out very soon. It is too early to say," Netanyahu stated.
Israel has officially classified the incident as a terror attack, with the Mossad and Shin Bet investigating the Omani co-pilot. Netanyahu also praised Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun for his "amazing bravery" in entering the cockpit and helping to neutralize the attacker, noting that 30 children were among the 174 passengers, most of them Israelis.
Netanyahu also spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who inquired about the passengers' well-being and offered assistance. They agreed to enhance flight security, and the UAE president consented to Israel joining the investigation. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reported that pilot Smit Machchar's condition is stable and he is hospitalized in Tabuk.
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