Daniel Wolfram
The investigation is currently being handled by Saudi security services.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that a pilot from Oman who tried to crash a Flydubai flight underwent radical Islamist indoctrination.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu cited personal background information he had received from his intelligence community about the suspect.
Alleged ideological motive
“We know that he underwent Islamic radical indoctrination,” Netanyahu stated to host Sean Hannity.
He added that it is very possible that the pilot was suicidal. “It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane […] The Islamist tendencies, that radicalization that is found in his background, I think that’s a pretty good clue.”
Netanyahu noted that final conclusions are pending a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, two Israeli security officials told Reuters that the suspect likely acted alone, with no evidence of Iranian involvement.
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Donald Trump said he spoke with Netanyahu at length. Trump called the attacker “perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job.”
Fight or crash the flight
The attack happened two hours after takeoff. A knife-wielding co-pilot forced Captain Smit Machchhar onto the floor. Despite his severe injuries, the Indian pilot unlocked the cockpit door and sent an emergency signal out.
Israeli passengers rushed into the cockpit. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber on board, tackled the attacker. “I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and dragged him out first,” Hayoun said, according to The Guardian.
Reserve crew members stabilized the plane and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar, writing that “in the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage.”
Saudi authorities are working with international investigators. A regional official told the Associated Press that “all possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being looked into.” Flydubai has suspended flights to Israel.
