Netanyahu: Omani Copilot in Stabbing Tried to Crash Tel Aviv-Bound Flight
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Omani copilot accused of stabbing the captain on a flight bound for Israel was attempting to crash the aircraft. Speaking on CNN's "The Brief" on Wednesday, Netanyahu described the Indian pilot's actions as "incredible heroism," noting that the captain "somehow managed to unlock the door" to the cockpit after being stabbed.
According to officials, an Israeli passenger then "burst in," pushed the copilot back and seized control of the plane. The aircraft, a FlyDubai flight traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, was carrying 174 people.
Netanyahu told host Jim Sciutto that the situation was brought under control when "another Israeli, and I think another air crew member" subdued the attacker, after which reserve pilots who had been in the passenger cabin entered the cockpit and stabilized the plane. The prime minister said the aircraft had been descending at the time.
"So, the amazing heroism here of the Indian pilot, the Israeli passenger, and his colleagues, and those pilots managed to prevent a 9-11 disaster because that's what it looks like was happening," Netanyahu said, referencing the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
The flight ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Early Thursday, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country's judicial authorities had opened an investigation into the incident. The ministry said it would look into "any possible connection" to terrorist activity. Netanyahu said Wednesday that the copilot was being questioned in Saudi Arabia and would be transferred to the UAE "very soon."
The Israeli leader also said he had spoken with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed to let Israel "join" the interrogation. "So, we'll find out very soon if Iran had anything to do with it. But I can't say that in advance of the conclusion of the interrogation," Netanyahu told Sciutto.
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