Smit Machchhar — Israel news coverage in English

Israel Must Prepare for All Threats, Even Unimaginable Ones

An editorial argues that Israel must lower its tolerance for catastrophic vulnerabilities following the October 7 massacre and a recent near-disaster on a flydubai flight. The IDF…

Security3h ago·2 outlets

Shin Bet Agents Join UAE Interrogation of Flydubai Terror Plotter

Shin Bet agents are assisting in the interrogation of Hamam al-Hammami, the flydubai copilot who attempted a terror attack. Al-Hammami reportedly confessed to planning to crash th…

Security8h ago2·7 outlets

Flydubai Pilot Planned Attack on Ben Gurion Airport, Investigators Say

A Flydubai pilot, Hamam al-Hamami, is under investigation for allegedly attempting to crash his plane into Ben Gurion Airport as an act of revenge against Israel. Shin Bet agents…

Security8h ago·1 outlets

Shin Bet Assists UAE in Probe of Flydubai Co-Pilot's Alleged Crash Plot

Israeli Shin Bet officials are assisting the UAE in investigating an Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to crash a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, r…

Security8h ago·2 outlets

Israel's Shin Bet Joins UAE Probe Into FlyDubai Pilot's Attack Attempt

Israel's Shin Bet is assisting the UAE in investigating a FlyDubai pilot's attempted hijacking of a flight to Israel. The pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, attacked the captain and is sus…

Security9h ago·3 outlets

Student Recounts Disabling Hijacker on Flydubai Flight

A medical student on a Flydubai flight recounted how he subdued a terrorist co-pilot. An investigation confirmed other pilots did not cooperate, while data revealed many Omani cit…

Security11h ago

Flydubai Pilot Planned Attack on Israel Flight Before Joining Airline

Investigators are probing whether a Flydubai second pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hamami, planned an attack on a flight to Israel before joining the airline. He allegedly assaulte…

Politics11h ago

UK Threatens to Expel Israeli Diplomats Over Jerusalem Consulate Closure

The United Kingdom has threatened to expel 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes its consulate in East Jerusalem. The British Ambassador warned of a "diplomat for diplomat" respon…

Security11h ago

Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Attack Before Joining Airline

An investigation into a Flydubai co-pilot who attacked the captain on a flight to Israel reveals he planned the hijacking before joining the airline. The co-pilot, identified as O…

Security11h ago

Omani Co-Pilot Planned 9/11-Style Attack on Israel, Report Says

An Omani co-pilot planned a 9/11-style attack on Israel, intending to crash a Flydubai flight into Ben Gurion Airport or Tel Aviv skyscrapers. Security lapses allowed the suspect…

Security11h ago

Israeli Consul Thanks Indian Counterpart for Saving 180 Lives on Flight to Tel Aviv

Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, met with India's Consul General, Bina Srikanta, to thank India's Prime Minister and a flight captain for saving 180 lives on a fl…

Security12h ago·2 outlets

IAF Details Response to Flydubai Hijacking Attempt

The Israel Air Force detailed its response to a flydubai aircraft that transmitted distress signals, initially mistaken for a malfunction but later identified as a hijacking attem…

Security12h ago4·3 outlets

Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot, Attempted Hijack Thwarted by Passengers

An attempted hijack of a flydubai flight was thwarted by passengers after the co-pilot attacked the pilot. The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where Israeli passengers receiv…

Security14h ago·3 outlets

Boy's Photo With Hero Pilot Gains Chilling Significance After Terror Flight

A mother shared a photo of her son with a pilot taken a month before the pilot's heroic actions on a terror-attacked flight. The pilot, Captain Smith Machchar, was severely injure…

Security15h ago·3 outlets

New Zealand Police Investigate FlyDubai Pilot's Past Amid Hijacking Attempt Probe

New Zealand police are investigating the past of a second pilot involved in a FlyDubai flight hijacking attempt, examining his time in the country. The pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, i…

Security17h ago

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Planned Attack Before Joining Airline, Report Says

Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami confessed to planning a terrorist attack before joining FlyDubai, reportedly seeking flights to Tel Aviv. Investigations reveal potential security lapses…

Security17h ago

UAE-Israel Ties May Strengthen Following Flydubai Incident

Following an axe attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel, UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al-Khaja met with Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev to discuss strengt…

General23h ago

Crowdfunding Campaign for Injured Flydubai Pilot Raises Tens of Thousands

An Indian pilot, Captain Smith Macher, who prevented a disaster on a Flydubai flight and was injured, is receiving widespread support. A crowdfunding campaign has raised $20,000 i…

Security1d ago2

UAE Shared FlyDubai Crew Data With Israel Before Flight, AP Reports

The UAE shared FlyDubai flight crew data with Israel before a September 30 flight, but no alarms were raised despite the co-pilot later attacking the captain. Investigations are o…

Security1d ago7·4 outlets

Passengers Subdue Co-Pilot in Flydubai Hijacking Attempt on Tel Aviv Flight

A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to crash flight FZ1073 into Tel Aviv before passengers intervened. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed s…

Security1d ago

Heightened Security Alert Issued for Israel and Jewish Communities Worldwide After Flydubai Incident

Israel and Jewish communities worldwide are on heightened security alert after an alleged attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight by its co-pilot, who reportedly intended to cras…

Security1d ago·1 outlets

Shin Bet Warned of Flaws in Leased Flights, Minister Ignored Warnings

Israel's Shin Bet security agency warned multiple times about inadequate oversight of leased flights, recommending a transfer of authority to the Civil Aviation Authority. Transpo…

Sports1d ago

Maccabi Tel Aviv to Face Hapoel Tel Aviv in Winner Cup Final After Dominating Hapoel Jerusalem

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 88-71 in the Winner Cup semifinals, advancing to face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the final. The win followed a difficult Euroleague start for Ma…

Security1d ago

Security Officials Blame Transport Ministry for Fly Dubai Incident

Israeli security officials are holding the Ministry of Transport responsible for a security lapse that allowed an Omani co-pilot, suspected of attempting to crash the plane, to bo…

Security1d ago

Australia Probes Terror Suspect's Past Ties After Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Attack

Australian police are investigating the past connections of an Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, had previousl…

Security1d ago

Flydubai Crew Identified as New Zealand, South African Citizens After Hijacking Attempt

Two additional crew members on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, who helped subdue a hijacker, have been identified as citizens of New Zealand and South Africa. An interna…

Sports1d ago·2 outlets

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem Announce Rosters for Winner Cup Semifinals

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem have announced their rosters for the Winner Cup semifinals, with key players Bonzie Colson and Dusan Miltic notably absent from Maccabi's lin…

Security1d ago·2 outlets

Flydubai Co-Pilot Acted Alone in Planned Tel Aviv Crash Attempt

An Israeli investigation indicates a flydubai co-pilot acted alone in a foiled attempt to crash a plane into Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, Humam al-Humami, allegedly stabbed the captain…

Security1d ago

European Nations Divided on Language Used to Describe Flydubai Incident

European nations have used differing terminology to describe the incident on Flydubai Flight 1073, ranging from "attack" to more cautious "incident," reflecting broader political…

Security1d ago

Play Dubai Flight Incident Highlights Cockpit Security Vulnerability

An attempted attack on a Play Dubai flight involved a co-pilot allegedly using a cockpit-based crash axe against the captain, highlighting a security flaw where the threat origina…

Security1d ago6

Flydubai Incident Highlights Israeli Resourcefulness Amidst Terror Attempt

An alleged terror attempt by a co-pilot on a flydubai flight to Israel was thwarted by the captain and passengers, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident is…

Security1d ago6·5 outlets

Flydubai Pilots Who Landed Plane Identified as South African and New Zealander

Two pilots, identified as South African and New Zealander, took control of a Flydubai flight after the original crew was incapacitated and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia…

Security1d ago·3 outlets

Flydubai Pilot May Have Shut Down Engines During Attack

An investigation into a Flydubai flight incident suggests the co-pilot who attacked the captain may have shut down the aircraft's engines. The theory is based on evidence like the…

Security1d ago

Israel's Multi-Layered Aviation Security System Detailed

Israel employs a five-layered aviation security system, involving intelligence, ground security, passenger screening, crew vetting, and covert in-flight marshals, to protect fligh…

Security1d ago

Al Qaeda Urges Plane Hijackings Against US and Israel

Al Qaeda is calling for new plane hijackings targeting the US and Israel, praising a recent attempted hijacking of a flight carrying Israelis. The co-pilot, who was subdued by pas…

Security1d ago·3 outlets

Israelis Aid UAE Probe into Flydubai Pilot's Terror Plot Targeting Azrieli Towers

An investigation into a foiled terror plot on a Flydubai flight is underway in Abu Dhabi, with Israeli Mossad agents and aviation experts participating alongside Saudi, US, and UA…

Security1d ago

New York Times Explains Presence of Extra Pilots on Attacked Flydubai Flight

The New York Times investigated the presence of four pilots on a Flydubai flight where an attack occurred. Two pilots traveling as passengers intervened after the co-pilot attacke…

World1d ago8·17 outlets

Netanyahu Invites Indian Pilot Who Saved Flight to Light Independence Day Torch

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Captain Smith Macher, the Indian pilot of a flight from Dubai, inviting him to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony. Ma…

Security1d ago2

UAE Security Flaws Allowed Jihadist Pilot on Flight to Israel

A journalist explains how a security failure by the UAE allowed a pilot with radical religious views to fly to Israel, raising questions about the Abraham Accords' security protoc…

World1d ago6

Hero Pilot Honored in Israel and India After Rescue

Captain Smit Machher, injured while saving 174 passengers on a Flydubai flight, has been honored by leaders including India's Prime Minister Modi and Israel's Prime Minister Netan…

Security1d ago

UAE Probes Flydubai Crew for Possible Role in Terror Attempt

UAE authorities are investigating whether a Flydubai flight crew member assisted the co-pilot suspected of a terror attempt. Israeli officials are focusing solely on the co-pilot…

Security1d ago

Flydubai Captain Recounts Cockpit Attack, Questions Raised on Israeli Security Screening

An Indian flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, described being attacked by his co-pilot on a flight to Israel, an incident that has raised questions about Israeli security screening…

Security1d ago

Israeli Reporter Slams Unexplained Security Failure on Flydubai Flight

Israeli reporter Yulan Cohen criticized the lack of official explanation after an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain on a Flydubai flight. Five Israeli passengers intervened to r…

Security2d ago6·11 outlets

FlyDubai Pilot's Social Media Showed Radical Views, Al-Qaeda Links

CNN reported that deleted social media posts from FlyDubai pilot Hamam al-Hammami revealed links to Al-Qaeda ideology and radical religious views. Al-Hammami attacked the captain…

Security2d ago8·10 outlets

Flydubai Captain Recounts Terror Attack, Netanyahu Hails Him as Hero

A flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, recounted being attacked by his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, on a flight to Tel Aviv, an incident thwarted by passengers including Israeli Yaniv…

Security2d ago7·6 outlets

Netanyahu Hails Pilot as 'True Hero' After Foiled Hijacking

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar as a "true hero" after Machchhar and passengers thwarted a hijacking attempt by his co-pilot, Ham…

Security2d ago·3 outlets

Flydubai Captain Recounts Cockpit Attack, Praises Israeli Passengers

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar detailed how his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to crash their flight to Tel Aviv after a prayer. Machchhar managed to open the cock…

Sports2d ago·3 outlets

Lorenzo Brown Out for Hapoel Jerusalem's Cup Semifinal vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv

Hapoel Jerusalem's new player Lorenzo Brown will miss the Winner Cup semifinal against Maccabi Tel Aviv due to an injury sustained in practice. Both teams are dealing with signifi…