Israeli PM Claims Co-pilot in Dubai Flight Attack Had Radical Islamist Background
Source Summary
An Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain of a flydubai flight bound for Israel on Wednesday in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Israeli passengers restrained the attacker while reserve crew stabilized the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal.
Why it matters
An in-flight attack on a commercial aircraft with loss of life prevented only by passenger intervention and crew skill raises immediate questions about aviation security and the attacker's motive.
What remains uncertain
Saudi security services are investigating the incident; Netanyahu's claims about the co-pilot's background and state of mind have not been independently verified.
