Israel to Participate in Probe of Flydubai Co-Pilot

Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the inquiry into the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight who allegedly attempted to crash Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv earlier this week, Reuters reported Friday, citing an informed source. However, Israeli security officials stated they have not received an official request from UAE security authorities to investigate the incident. Israeli security sources indicated that a formal request was made due to the sensitive strategic implications for Israel, aiming to understand the perpetrator's motives and potential accomplices, and to prepare for similar future scenarios. The co-pilot, an Omani citizen whose identity has not been released, was arrested in Saudi Arabia after the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk. He was transferred to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. According to the source, Israeli officials are anticipated to question him there, though the specific Israeli agency involved has not yet been disclosed. A source in the Israeli government confirmed to Reuters that Israeli investigators will join the UAE-led inquiry to clarify the sequence of events and examine the co-pilot's motives and background. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Reuters' request for comment on whether Israelis would directly question the co-pilot.