Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the attacker involved in the Flydubai incident had undergone Islamist radicalisation and intended to crash the aircraft with all passengers on board.
In a video message shared by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, Netanyahu said the incident could have resulted in a disaster on the scale of the September 11 attacks. Yaniv and his heroic companions prevented a disaster on the scale of 9/11.
Netanyahu also said investigators were examining whether the attacker had been sent by someone else and warned that those responsible would face serious consequences. “We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said. He credited the crew, including pilot Smit Machchhar, with preventing a larger tragedy. “As time passes, the picture is becoming clearer. The attacker underwent Islamist radicalisation. He intended to crash the plane with all its passengers on board,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated on X, quoting Netanyahu.
Because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies its flag, the ministry said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the investigation. Anwar Gargash, adviser to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, praised Machchhar’s courage and professionalism, saying the Indian pilot had acted with responsibility in circumstances that could have led to a major disaster. Under UAE law, crimes committed on board the aircraft fall under UAE jurisdiction even when they occur outside the country’s territory.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that a specialised team of public prosecutors had been assigned to investigate the incident and establish its circumstances and causes.
