Israeli Passengers Recount Heroic Actions Aboard Hijacked Flydubai Flight

Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist from Rishon LeZion, described his actions during the dramatic Flydubai flight where passengers subdued a co-pilot who attempted to hijack the plane. Musayev, 47, explained that his medical background, with parents who were also in the medical field, guided him to treat the injured Indian captain. He was motivated to intervene after witnessing three Israelis confronting the Omani co-pilot. "At that moment, we didn't even think for a second about our lives, but about how to save the entire plane," Musayev stated.

Musayev managed to stabilize the captain, who was bleeding heavily, and recalled the captain's plea to live. He attributed the successful outcome to a series of coincidences, including a young girl going to the restroom and the quick actions of other passengers like Yaniv, Tzvi, and Assaf who apprehended the co-pilot. Musayev considers these individuals new family members, emphasizing their collective rebirth after the "historic event" that concluded with a landing in Saudi Arabia.

The passengers were treated well in Saudi Arabia, with high-ranking officials and medical personnel attending to them. Despite the traumatic experience, Musayev advocated for boarding the return flight to Ben Gurion Airport, arguing that they "cannot be neutralized" and that flying only on Israeli airlines is not feasible. He reassured parents with children, and ultimately, the group decided together to board the plane after assurances were made.

Yaniv Hayun, 38, from Ness Ziona, one of the passengers who physically subdued the co-pilot, commented on U.S. President Donald Trump's description of him as a "plumber." Hayun embraced the label, humorously stating, "I am an upgraded plumber," and acknowledged Trump's accuracy regarding his non-NASA profession. He expressed surprise and amusement at Trump's attention to his actions, noting that while he isn't a martial arts expert, he successfully helped restrain the co-pilot.

President Isaac Herzog spoke with the heroic Israelis and announced his intention to recommend them for the "President's Award for Civilian Heroism." He praised their "unprecedented courage, resourcefulness, and mutual responsibility," highlighting that their actions prevented a major disaster and showcased the "beautiful and brave face of Israeli society" to the world. The award recommendation also includes the Indian captain and Tzvi's wife, Tali, who alerted authorities to the unusual situation.