Netanyahu: "Islamist Radical Ideological Processing" Behind Flydubai Pilot's Actions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight who attempted to crash the plane had undergone "Islamist radical ideological processing." Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu explained that this information was derived from personal data of the suspect, who is currently being investigated in Saudi Arabia. The fact that the plane landed in Saudi Arabia has complicated access to information for both Israeli and UAE authorities, as Flydubai is a state-owned airline of the UAE. Investigations are underway in Israel and the UAE to determine how the pilot, who is from a country without diplomatic relations with Israel, was allowed onto an Israeli flight. It remains unclear whether the pilot intentionally targeted an Israeli flight to carry out a large-scale terrorist attack or seized an opportunity. Netanyahu also indicated that potential Iranian influence on the pilot would be specifically examined. The co-pilot's ultimate intentions are still unknown. It is known that he sent the plane into a dive when he realized he could not gain full control, but his initial plan is not understood. Two main theories suggest he either intended to crash the plane into an Israeli skyscraper, similar to the 9/11 attacks, or hijack the entire aircraft to Iran. The first pilot, identified as Indian national Smith Machhar, underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia and was transferred to the UAE for further treatment. Passengers on the flight reported that a woman first raised the alarm after her daughter went to the restroom and she heard a struggle and shouts from the cockpit. The wounded first pilot had apparently managed to open the door. As the woman raised the alarm, the plane began to descend. Passenger Zvika told Netanyahu that one pilot was on the floor and the other was on the control panel, attempting to disable the onboard computer. Zvika recounted that the "crazy pilot" was tied up with a headphone cord, and he himself pulled the controls back, which seemingly helped bring the plane out of its dive. According to passengers, a reserve crew, rumored to be Russian and Ukrainian pilots, then took control. This "relief crew," likely on board because the original crew's duty time had expired, decided to land the plane in the nearest possible location, Saudi Arabia, due to the significant distance remaining to Israel and the "super-emergency" situation. The combined actions of the alert passenger, Zvika's intervention with the controls, and the presence of the relief crew averted a likely crash of the Boeing 737, saving the lives of 174 people, including 27 minors.