Flight Attacker 'Underwent Islamist Radical Indoctrination', Netanyahu Says
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Netanyahu: Flight Attacker 'Underwent Islamist Radical Indoctrination'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says investigations suggest the man who stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to take over a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination".
The Flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two hours into its journey on Wednesday, before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and retook control to land safely.
Netanyahu told Fox News it was looking "very likely" that the attacker, who he said was an Omani national, "was going to down the plane".
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) state news agency reports investigations have begun there to determine "whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose".
Key Takeaways:
- Attacker's Background: Underwent "Islamist radical indoctrination"
- Plane Drop: Plunged 17,000ft in less than two minutes
- Attacker's Intent: "Going to down the plane," per Netanyahu
- Jurisdiction: UAE claims jurisdiction due to plane's registration and flag
Quotations:
"...it's clear he was suicidal... that's not a question." - Netanyahu on the attacker's state of mind
"It's too early to say" - Netanyahu on Iran's potential involvement
Details:
- Co-Pilot: Currently being questioned in Saudi Arabia
- Attacker's Transfer: Expected to be transferred to the UAE
- Injured Pilot: Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, is praised as a "hero" by both Netanyahu and Narendra Modi
- Investigations: Separate Israeli and UAE investigations ongoing
Flight Details:
- Flight: Flydubai FZ1073
- Route: Dubai International Airport (UAE) to Ben Gurion Airport (Israel)
- Time: Took off at 03:05 GMT (07:05 local time), with more than 170 people on board