Netanyahu: Flydubai Co-Pilot Radicalized, Likely Intended Suicide Mission

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight en route to Israel, who attacked the pilot, had been indoctrinated with extremist Islamic ideology and likely intended to crash the plane. The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. A disaster was averted when the injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. A reserve crew member on board then landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The plane was carrying over 170 passengers.

Netanyahu told Fox News that intelligence suggests the co-pilot underwent radicalization, a conclusion drawn from his personal data. Israeli security officials indicated that initial assessments point to the co-pilot, identified by Israel as an Omani citizen, acting alone, though investigations are ongoing. The Prime Minister emphasized the co-pilot's apparent suicidal intentions, suggesting a high probability he planned to bring down the aircraft. He noted that linking this to "Islamic tendencies, that extremism in his (intellectual) background, I think that will give us very good evidence... but I say again, I have not reached final conclusions yet. But these are the indications we have now."

The UAE News Agency reported that an investigation has been launched. The public prosecutor ordered measures to gather information, evidence, and ascertain the facts, circumstances, motives, and any potential links to terrorism or prior planning. The statement added that UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the incident, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, making Emirati law applicable to crimes committed aboard, even if they occur outside its territory.