Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight had undergone what he described as Islamist radical indoctrination.
The allegation came a day after Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a serious incident in the cockpit. The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly before passengers and crew intervened. The plane was subsequently brought under control and landed safely.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said investigators were examining the background and possible motives of the alleged attacker. He also said it was too early to determine whether the individual had any connection with Iran.
“We’ll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would follow the investigation and could participate in it.
Investigation Underway
The alleged attacker has been arrested in Saudi Arabia following the emergency landing. Reports have identified him as an Omani national, although some details about his identity have not been independently confirmed.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are investigating the incident, while Israeli officials are also examining the circumstances surrounding the attack. Investigators are expected to establish whether the incident was an attempted hijacking, a terrorist act or had another motive.
Netanyahu’s comments about possible Iranian involvement were accompanied by a warning that conclusions should not be drawn before the investigation is completed. He said investigators would examine whether the attacker acted alone or had assistance from others.
Reports About the Co-Pilot
Before Netanyahu’s latest remarks, media reports had circulated claims about the co-pilot’s religious behaviour. One report, citing an unidentified Flydubai pilot, alleged that the co-pilot was highly religious and regularly engaged in prayer.
However, these accounts have not independently established the motive for the attack or confirmed any ideological affiliation. The circumstances remain under investigation.
The UAE has launched a formal probe into the incident, with investigators examining the causes, motives and possible external links. Flydubai has also urged caution against speculation while the investigation continues.
Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during the incident but helped enable passengers and crew to intervene. He has since received medical treatment, while the passengers were ultimately brought to safety.
The investigation is expected to focus on the sequence of events inside the cockpit, the background and motive of the alleged attacker, and whether anyone else was involved. At this stage, claims about radicalisation or an Iranian connection remain allegations rather than established findings.