Netanyahu Honors Passengers Who Thwarted Flydubai Terror Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Israeli passengers who neutralized a terrorist on a Flydubai flight, an encounter captured on video. During the meeting, the passengers recounted the harrowing events, from realizing a security incident was unfolding to providing makeshift medical aid and ultimately subduing the attacker. One passenger described the chaos, stating, "We felt a commotion. When they said people needed to come forward, we didn't understand the panic. I arrived and saw the situation they described, and I helped my friends just hold the situation."

The passengers detailed the severe injuries sustained by the pilot during his struggle with the terrorist, with one recounting, "His hands, his head, really deep wounds, almost no pulse and bleeding." Another described their efforts to keep the pilot alive, "We were constantly monitoring his condition, giving him oxygen, changing his tank."

Simultaneously, the passengers dealt with the attacker, whom they restrained using headphone cords until security personnel arrived with handcuffs. "We had no other choice, we tied him with a headphone cord. Only after that they brought us handcuffs. That was the only thing on my mind, how to somehow tie him so the person wouldn't start to rage," one passenger explained. They revealed that the terrorist, realizing his plan had failed, shouted in English, "Kill me, Kill me," preferring death.

Netanyahu praised the passengers' bravery, calling it "great Israeli heroism." He announced that the group would light a torch at the upcoming Independence Day ceremony, stating, "You as a group will light the torch on the next Independence Day. You need to light a torch of civilian heroism that I don't remember the likes of. This is a tremendous thing, and I mean on a global level."

The Prime Minister also urged vigilance, advising Israelis to "learn from you, simply to keep your eyes open. Not to cancel plans, not to cancel flights, to continue, but to be very alert." During the meeting, one passenger humorously asked Netanyahu to tell Donald Trump that he is a big fan.