Ben‑Gvir told followers on X that the man who attacked a pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Thursday had intended to bring the aircraft down, targeting the 180 Israeli passengers on board.
The incident erupted when a passenger with a pocketknife stabbed a co‑pilot, prompting screams and an abrupt drop from 34,000 feet to roughly 17,000 feet in less than a minute. The crew scrambled for control, transmitted the international emergency code 7700 and briefly sent 7500, signalling possible hijacking, before diverting to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft landed safely.
Transport Minister Miri Regev has demanded suspension of all flydubai flights to Israel, citing the incident as evidence of a breach in the UAE‑Israel aviation agreement that allows only pilots from countries with diplomatic ties to land in Israel. She also asked the Civil Aviation Authority to probe whether the United Arab Emirates violated its own aviation protocols.
Passengers and two co‑pilots who were traveling as passengers reportedly helped restrain the attacker, averting what could have been a catastrophic crash. Fighter jets were scrambled after the plane lost contact, but the aircraft re‑established communication before diverting.
Investigations are underway to confirm the attacker’s identity, which is believed to be an Omani national—a fact that could complicate diplomatic ties since Israel has no formal relations with Oman. The outcome of the probe will determine whether flydubai faces further sanctions and whether Israeli security protocols will be tightened.
The next step will be a formal inquiry by Israeli aviation authorities, with a possible ban on flydubai operations pending the investigation’s findings.