Israel Recognizes Flydubai Passengers as Victims of Hostile Acts

Israel's Ministry of Defense has officially recognized the passengers of a Flydubai flight as victims of hostile acts, following an attempted hijacking. The ministry stated that after receiving official confirmation from Israeli investigative authorities, the recognition was granted for the attempted attack on the Flydubai flight. This decision has been forwarded to the National Insurance Institute, which is in contact with the affected passengers for further processing. The National Insurance Institute also confirmed that civilian passengers who suffered physical or psychological harm can file claims for disability assessments as victims of hostile acts.

This recognition comes amid an ongoing investigation into a potential conflict of interest involving a senior official in the Ministry of Transport's Security Department, Avri Cohen. He is being investigated by the National Fraud Investigation Unit (YAHAL) over his alleged involvement in a potential conflict of interest concerning foreign airlines operating in Israel. Reports from early September indicated that Cohen and other employees had given testimony in the case, which opened after YAHAL began probing conflicts of interest among ministry employees regarding foreign airlines.

According to civil service regulations, senior officials like Cohen require special approval from the Civil Service Commission for private employment. The Ministry of Transport had misleadingly claimed that Cohen received approval in 2018 to work privately for the airlines he oversees. However, the Civil Service Commission clarified that it neither approved nor was aware of Cohen's private work. Even if approved, such authorization would have expired after five years and required renewal in 2023, which did not occur. The Ministry of Transport later changed its account, stating that once the management became aware of Cohen's additional employment, he was instructed to cease immediately until proper authorization was granted, and that the ministry had not submitted such a request to the Civil Service Commission.

Less than an hour before landing, the Omani co-pilot, Maam Al-Hamami, attacked the Indian captain, Sumit Machahar, with an emergency axe in the cockpit and attempted to crash the plane into Israeli territory. The injured captain managed to transmit distress and hijacking signals, prompting the scramble of Israeli Air Force fighter jets. Passengers and crew members then stormed the cockpit, overpowering the attacker. A substitute pilot on board took control and successfully landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was arrested. The incident was officially classified as an act of terror by the UAE and Israeli authorities.