Israel Questions Pilot's Motives After UAE Transfer, Denies Iran Link

An Omani co-pilot suspected of attempting to crash a Flydubai flight has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, along with the Indian pilot he attacked. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but a senior Israeli official stated that any alleged connection to Iran, as suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump, has been ruled out at this stage. The official indicated that the co-pilot likely acted alone, with motives assessed as nationalistic and religious rather than suicidal.

Israel has requested to send a team to the UAE to participate in the investigation, but this requires prior coordination. The UAE has reportedly conveyed strong messages to Israel, expressing concern that Israel's conclusion of terrorism as a motive, without awaiting the investigation's end, could imply a lack of control. Abu Dhabi is reportedly cautious about labeling the incident as terrorism, preferring to await full findings.

Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously told Fox News that the Omani pilot had undergone "extreme Islamist brainwashing" and exploited a loophole in regulations preventing the hiring of pilots from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel. Israel is examining the co-pilot's social media activity. Saudi Arabia reportedly resisted Israeli involvement in the investigation conducted on its territory, but Israel hopes to leverage its strong relationship with the UAE for greater participation as an observer.

The Indian pilot, Smith Machacher, who bravely fought the co-pilot and helped prevent the disaster, was transferred to the UAE after hospitalization in Saudi Arabia. The government of Gujarat, India, announced it would honor him for his courage. Reports from the Arab world described the drama on the flight with a focus on the mystery and the bloodied shirts, omitting details about the flight's destination to Israel or the pilots' nationalities, and downplaying the potential terror attack aspect.

Israeli passengers on the flight, including Yeniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Musev, Sigalit, and Or Pardilov, have been hailed as heroes. Prime Minister Netanyahu met with some of them, announcing they would be honored with a civil heroism torch on Independence Day. President Yitzhak Herzog also spoke with several Israeli passengers, including Hayon, Tzviqa Mans, Assaf Rejwan, and Dr. Musev, and intends to recommend them for the President's Award for Civil Heroism. Tali Mans, Tzviqa's wife, is also being recommended for the award for her role in alerting passengers and assisting in subduing the attacker.