Netanyahu says co-pilot on Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was Islamist-radicalized
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the second pilot who stabbed the captain on a Fly Dubai flight had undergone Islamist radicalisation.
In an interview, Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the co-pilot who stabbed the captain of a Fly Dubai aircraft had been subject to Islamist radicalisation. He suggested the pilot could have connections to Iran and described the episode as a terrorist plot. The plane, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, including 166 Israelis, entered a steep dive after the knife attack.
Eyewitnesses reported three passengers rushing to the cockpit, allowing off-duty airline pilots on the flight to take over. Indian captain Smit Machchhar was praised for fighting the attacker and averting a disaster. Israeli officials have classified the event as a terrorist attempt.
How this was covered
- Coverage peaked at 7 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The claim links a commercial airline attack to broader Islamist terrorism and possible foreign involvement.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu says UAE-Israel flight pilot attacked colleague before attempted crash
- Sep 30 Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed while stopping a co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, saving 174 passengers.
- Oct 1 U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised the Indian pilot.
- Oct 1 Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia arrested one of the pilots who allegedly tried to crash a FlyDubai flight.
- Oct 1 Later … … … … … …
- Oct 1 Israel’s transport minister ordered a six‑day suspension of Flydubai flights to Israel and Emirates halted code‑share operations on those routes.
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