Netanyahu threatens retaliation as Flydubai cockpit attack is investigated

On October 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any power determined to have orchestrated the alleged cockpit assault on a Flydubai service travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv would face retaliation; the plane diverted safely to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot reportedly attacked the captain. No deaths were reported.¹²³

An alleged attack in the cockpit

Israeli officials and witnesses said the co-pilot stabbed the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar. One account said the captain opened the cockpit to passengers, who helped overpower the alleged attacker as the aircraft descended. The precise method of attack remains unclear: another report said the captain was attacked with an axe or stabbed.¹³

Published accounts also differ over how many people were aboard. France 24 reported that the aircraft carried 174 people, while The Independent identified it as flight FZ1073 and put the total at 182. Both outlets reported that the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.¹²

The two pilots were subsequently taken to Abu Dhabi with Emirati security personnel, according to reports. The captain was recovering in hospital, while authorities in the United Arab Emirates continued examining the incident and the alleged assailant’s motive. The Independent reported that Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities were investigating, with assistance from the United States and Oman.¹²⁴

The Independent reported that Flydubai halted its Dubai-to-Tel Aviv service as the inquiry remained under way. The same outlet said the co-pilot was Omani and had previously been prevented from flying in Oman because of security concerns, but was later employed by Flydubai.¹

Netanyahu raises the possibility of outside direction

Netanyahu alleged that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation and boarded the flight intending to bring down the aircraft with its passengers. He said investigators were considering whether the man had acted on instructions from another party. “We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said.²³⁴⁵

The Israeli prime minister did not name a possible sponsoring country. He had earlier identified the co-pilot as being from Oman and had left open the possibility that mental-health problems played a part. The Straits Times reported that no evidence had been presented showing that any country was responsible.²³

US President Donald Trump said he was “hearing that Iran was involved” and warned that Iran would “be hit very hard” if that proved true. France 24 reported that Trump offered no evidence for the assertion. Since 1979, Israel and the United States have alleged that Iran has played a role in attacks worldwide.²³

UAE official calls incident terrorism

Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, described the episode as a terrorist act and praised Machchhar’s actions. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz separately characterised it as an attempted terrorist attack. The UAE investigation was continuing, including a review of security arrangements.²⁴

The Independent reported that most of the passengers were Israeli nationals and that the injured captain later spoke by video with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Israeli officials were expected to question the co-pilot, according to The Straits Times.¹³