Flydubai Suspends Flights to Israel Amid Political Accusations

Arkia Israeli Airlines is sending its first plane to Dubai to bring back Israelis stranded there following an attempted crash of a Flydubai flight. However, obstacles remain, including a demand from the UAE for a cargo plane to accompany the passenger jet and collect all luggage. Israir Airlines is also preparing to send a flight. Subsequently, Flydubai announced the suspension of all its flights to Israel until further notice.

Following the UAE's classification of the aircraft incident as an "act of terror," a source close to the Abu Dhabi government criticized Israel, telling Ynet that Israel is "exploiting the incident for political purposes and delaying the resumption of Flydubai flights." The source stated, "They are talking about 'rescue flights' as if there is a war in the country. There is no war."

The Emirati source, who is close to the UAE government, accused Israel of using the incident for political gain and deliberately prolonging the crisis over flights between the two nations. According to the source, the feeling in Abu Dhabi is that "the elections are managing the event, not logic." "Israel is the one stopping the flights," the source asserted. "If passengers can board an Arkia flight, why not a Flydubai flight?"

The source emphasized that "there is no war" and argued that the Israeli discourse about "rescue flights" creates the impression of a country in a state of war or crisis, "which is not the situation." The source questioned, "Rescue from what? From whom? From where?" The source noted that since Sunday, eight Etihad Airways flights have operated to Abu Dhabi, with increased frequency under strict protocols, adding that "the same protocol can be implemented on Flydubai."

Regarding the investigation into the Omani pilot who attempted to crash the plane, the source stated that the Emiratis are conducting a parallel investigation, cooperating, and seeking to resolve the crisis, while Israel is "dragging its feet and creating difficulties." The source added that the Emiratis are prepared to tighten procedures and screen crews. While acknowledging that "there was clearly a malfunction," the source claimed that Israel does not understand the implications of the incident for the UAE. "We are going crazy over Israel's behavior. It doesn't seem like the Israeli government understands what it is doing."

The source believes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to link the incident to Iran due to his political agenda ahead of the elections. "The feeling in the Emirates is that everything is being done to prolong this, because it serves Israel politically," the source said, describing Israel's actions as "an arsonist who runs to set a fire and then runs to put it out." The source further claimed that Israel wants the issue to remain in public discourse, "unless it has another consideration."