Hero of Flydubai Flight Shares Profound Insight After Attack

Assaf Radwan, one of the Israelis who helped subdue an attacker on a recent Flydubai flight, shared a personal reflection on Sunday about a significant realization he gained after the incident. Radwan, who is not typically active on social media, felt compelled to share his thoughts, stating, "I usually don't write much on social media, but today I felt something internal burning within me that I must share with others."

He explained that after the attack was thwarted, much media attention focused on the reasons behind preventing the disaster. Radwan participated in an international channel interview where passengers recounted their experiences. During this discussion, they collectively understood that "every passenger on the flight had a role." He detailed how different individuals contributed, such as managing communications with Israeli security, providing a mobile hotspot, reciting Psalms, supplying headphone cords for restraint, updating on GPS locations, and one Australian passenger being able to make calls to Israel from Saudi Arabia.

Radwan specifically mentioned fellow heroes Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Mans, and others who assisted. He noted that despite not being religious, he felt an undeniable urge to recite the "Gomel" blessing in synagogue after the "great miracle." He described being stunned when, while reading the weekly Torah portion, he encountered the verse, "There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your help, and in His majesty through the skies." Radwan found this verse deeply resonant given the flight's circumstances.

"After everything that happened on the flight, after the fear, after the assault, and after realizing how thin the line was between life and death, to find myself facing these words, 'rides the heavens to your help,' was a moment that is hard for me to explain," he wrote. He concluded his post with "Am Israel Chai" (The people of Israel live).

Following the incident, Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with the four heroes and announced his intention to recommend them for the "President's Award for Civilian Heroism." Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump released a personal video praising Yaniv Hayon's bravery.