Netanyahu Blames Islamic Radical Indoctrination in Flydubai Attack

Fri Oct 02 2026 09:33:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu attributes the dramatic March 2026 incident on a Flydubai flight to radical indoctrination, while investigations into possible terror links continue.

During a live interview on Fox News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the violent attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which plunged more than 17,000 feet before passengers and crew regained control, likely stemmed from Islamic radical indoctrination of the Omani attacker. He also noted that Israeli investigators believe the assailant intended to crash the aircraft and that the incident may have terrorist motives, though concrete links remain unproven. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Israeli security agencies are collaborating on a joint inquiry, amid speculation that Iran could have been involved. Meanwhile, Flydubai has halted its Dubai‑Tel Aviv route as authorities assess the threat and ensure passenger safety.

Netanyahu Blames Islamic Radical Indoctrination in Flydubai Attack

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that the man who stabbed a fellow pilot and attempted to seize control of a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight was likely radicalised through Islamic indoctrination.

The Flydubai aircraft dropped more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes, but passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and brought the plane to a safe landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu said Israeli investigators consider it “very likely” the assailant, an Omani national, intended to crash the plane. He described the attacker’s behaviour as suicidal, noting that he repeatedly shouted to the crew, “kill me, kill me.”

UAE authorities have opened investigations, probing whether the event was linked to any terrorist activity. Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry confirmed that both pilots were medically cleared and returned to the UAE following the incident.

While the attacker’s motives remain unclear, Israeli intelligence sources say the preliminary inquiry points to a planned hijack and a draw‑down of the aircraft’s altitude. Airlines such as Flydubai, El Al, Israir and Arkia are preparing contingency flights to bring stranded passengers back to Dubai.

Israel and the UAE are cooperating closely to prevent a recurrence, with Israeli officials citing a security gap that allowed a foreign pilot without diplomatic ties to board the flight.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the stabbed Indian pilot, Capt Smit Machchhar, as a hero. The Indian mission confirmed Machchhar’s good health as he recovered in hospital.

The incident has prompted a suspension of Flydubai flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, in line with a directive from Netanyahu, and lifted urgent requests to Etihad Airlines to increase flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities are awaiting more findings before confirming a definitive link to any state‑backed terrorist organisation.