Netanyahu says flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination

October 1, 2026 at 05:41 PM2 min

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday the co-pilot who tried to crash a flydubai passenger jet from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination." Passengers and crew subdued the attacker and a reserve crew landed the plane in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Netanyahu told Fox News it was too early to determine whether the co-pilot had connections to Iran.

Key Facts

The flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000 feet (5,200 meters) two hours into its journey on Wednesday before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.
The co-pilot is being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing.
UAE officials say they have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag.
Netanyahu told Fox News the attacker was "calling out to the aircrew 'kill me, kill me'" after being subdued, indicating he was suicidal.

The Attack

The co-pilot stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to take over flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The plane plunged more than 17,000 feet (5,200 meters) in less than two minutes, according to passenger Almog Itali, who described the descent as a "rollercoaster." Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and retook control, and a reserve crew landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu's Assessment

Netanyahu said in a Fox News interview that the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination." He said it was clear the co-pilot was suicidal, citing the attacker's calls of "kill me, kill me" after being subdued. Netanyahu said he would be able to say within a matter of days whether the co-pilot had connections to Iran, but that it was too early to determine.

Investigation and Jurisdiction

The UAE state news agency reports investigations have begun to determine whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity. The co-pilot is currently being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing. UAE officials say they have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag.