Netanyahu: Perpetrator of Flydubai Plot Will Pay Heavy Price

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday that the investigation into the attempted sabotage of a Flydubai flight is examining whether the co-pilot, described as having undergone Islamist radicalization, acted on behalf of another party. "As time goes by, the picture becomes clearer," Netanyahu said, adding that the co-pilot "came to crash the plane on the passengers." He warned, "Whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price."

Netanyahu praised the pilot, whom he referred to as "Yaniv and his heroic friends," for averting a disaster akin to September 11th. The Prime Minister indicated that the investigation is actively seeking to identify any entity that may have dispatched the co-pilot.

Earlier on Friday, Anwar Gargash, an advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, officially labeled the incident as a "terrorist act." This marks the first time the UAE has formally characterized the event as terrorism while an investigation is underway there.

Gargash made these remarks on social media platform X, commending the Flydubai pilot, Smith Machchar, for his bravery. He stated that the pilot, in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and potential catastrophe, embodied true courage and responsibility, demonstrating professionalism and moral integrity under extreme circumstances.

Gargash also advised vigilance and caution in dealing with the dangers of extremism and terrorism, while refraining from speculation or conspiracy theories.