Israeli "Chutzpah" Credited for Passengers' Quick Action on Flydubai Flight

Psychologist Liraz Margalit suggests that the "Israeli chutzpah" or tendency to act without waiting for orders may have played a crucial role in the passengers' response during a recent Flydubai incident. Writing for Maariv, Margalit draws a parallel to a 1979 Woolworth's fire in Manchester, where psychologist David Canter observed that people often adhere to normal behavior patterns, like finishing their meals or paying at the checkout, even in emergencies, a phenomenon known as behavioral inertia. This is compounded by a "normalcy bias," where the brain assumes everything is fine and sticks to familiar scenarios.

During the recent Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, eyewitnesses reported that passengers who were called to assist entered the cockpit without hesitation and helped subdue an attacker, while another pilot took control of the aircraft. Margalit explains that this proactive response, while seemingly obvious, is psychologically unnatural. Overcoming the urge to wait for instructions or the fear of causing a scene requires breaking through significant psychological barriers.

Margalit attributes this behavior to Israeli culture, where the power distance is small and hierarchy is often seen as a suggestion rather than a strict rule. She argues that Israelis are conditioned from a young age through various institutions like the army, youth movements, and reserve duty to take initiative, act independently, and find solutions on the spot, rather than waiting for explicit instructions.

While acknowledging that this "Israeli chutzpah" can be irritating in daily life, leading to pushiness and disregard for order, Margalit highlights its positive side: improvisation, resourcefulness, and a refusal to remain passive in dangerous situations. She concludes that while Israelis often complain about this trait, it is precisely this quality that one would want nearby in a critical moment.