Netanyahu: Fly Dubai pilot came to crash plane on passengers

Netanyahu: "Whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price" (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an update Friday on the investigation into the attempted attack on the Fly Dubai flight, revealing that "as time passes the picture becomes clearer, the attacker underwent Islamist radicalization. He came to crash the plane on its passengers."

"We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price," the prime minister added.

An adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, earlier called the attempt to crash the Fly Dubai flight "an act of terror." It is the first time the Emirates have officially defined the incident as terrorism.

The dramatic incident took place on a flight from Dubai to Israel Wednesday, when the Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain, Samit Machchar, with a knife and began diving the aircraft toward the ground. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Chiyon, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rejwan, to storm in and overpower the attacker.

In interviews Netanyahu gave to the American networks CNN and Fox News in recent days, he made clear that "what was about to happen, as far as the specific motive is concerned, it appears the Omani pilot planned an Israeli September 11." He added that "what distinguishes this event from the other tragic attacks is that this time the good guys won."

The prime minister clarified that Israel had no warning or specific intelligence indication about the incident, and that the investigation continues. "We will know very soon if Iran had a connection to this, but I cannot say that before the investigation is complete," he said. "We will get to the root of this attacker, whether he had partners and whether Iran stood behind him. I think we will discover this very soon."

United States President Donald Trump also addressed the possibility of Iranian involvement. When asked whether he believes there is a connection between Iran and the Omani pilot, he replied: "They're checking that. From what I hear, yes." He added: "If it turns out Iran is behind the attack, we will strike them hard."

Meanwhile, the Saudi Interior Ministry reported that the captain and co-pilot from the Fly Dubai flight have been transferred to the Emirates under Emirati security escort. According to a report by correspondent Roi Kais, a statement from a senior source said the Emiratis participated in the investigation in Saudi Arabia, and that the initial investigation shows the co-pilot attacked the captain, leading to their injuries.

Israel is expected to be involved in the investigation, as part of the security and intelligence cooperation between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi. The Prime Minister's Office and the Justice Ministry are working to gain access to the Omani co-pilot.

President Isaac Herzog spoke with the four Israelis who acted heroically during the flight, and announced his intention to recommend awarding them the "President's Medal for Civic Heroism." "In moments when the lives of so many people were in danger, you acted without hesitation, with courage, resourcefulness and extraordinary mutual responsibility," the president said.

The Indian captain, Samit Machchar, who was seriously wounded during the incident, gave his first interview since the dramatic event. In an emotional phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the pilot recounted the moments of terror he experienced. "At that moment I was fighting for my life," Machchar recalled. "I had so many injuries, I fell. I have been flying planes for 17 years, for the last 11 years I am a captain. I know, even when my eyes are closed, what is happening in the plane."

The Transportation Ministry announced this morning that return flights by Israeli airlines from Dubai to Israel are expected to be delayed, due to the need to complete preparations and coordination by security officials for operating the flights. Citizens staying in Dubai should remain in contact with the airlines where they booked their tickets, and act according to their instructions and updates.