What did Benjamin Netanyahu say about the Flydubai co-pilot who tried to crash the plane to Israel?

Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. He also said the pilot appeared suicidal, but added that he was not making final conclusions yet.

How was Flydubai flight FZ1073 stopped from being crashed?

Passengers were able to subdue the attacker, and a reserve crew aboard landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. The flight had been heading from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident happened.

Did Netanyahu say the Flydubai co-pilot had ties to Iran?

He said it was too early to tell whether the co-pilot had connections to Iran or anyone else. He said he expected more clarity within days.

Netanyahu says Flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination

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Summary

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Washington that the Flydubai co-pilot who tried to crash a passenger jet on its way to Israel had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. He said no motive has been determined, but suggested the pilot was suicidal and may have links to Iran. The passengers and a reserve crew subdued the attacker, and the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.

Key Facts

The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Passengers and a reserve crew subdued the attacker, and the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu said it was too early to say whether the co-pilot had any connections to Iran.
Netanyahu said he expected to be able to say within days whether the co-pilot had connections to Iran or anyone else.

By Reuters

Published Oct 1, 2026 9:53 pm KST
Updated Oct 1, 2026 9:55 pm KST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Yaniv Hayun, a passenger on the Flydubai flight bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, at the Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, Oct. 1. Reuters-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the co-pilot who tried to crash a passenger jet on its way to Israel had undergone Islamist radicalization.

"We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News.

No motive has been determined for Wednesday's harrowing near-disaster on Wednesday's Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when passengers were able to subdue the attacker and a reserve crew aboard landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu told "Fox & Friends" he would be able to say within a matter of days whether the flydubai co-pilot had connections to Iran.

"I think it's too early to say whether he had any connections with Iran or with any anyone else," he said.

Netanyahu said it was clear that the co-pilot was suicidal.

"If you couple that with the what I just told you about the Islamist tendencies, that radicalization that are found in his background, I think that's — that'll give us the a pretty good clue," he said. "But again, I don't make final conclusions yet. But that's the indications we have now."

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