The incident involving a FlyDubai plane that took off from Dubai and was headed to Israel has sparked a strong reaction from Israeli officials. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Transportation Minister Meri Rgev requested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately halt all FlyDubai flights until an investigation into the incident is completed. Rgev also asked that priority be given to flights operated by Israeli airlines, including El Al, Israir, and Arkia, which are subject to Israeli security screening.
The incident occurred on a flight carrying 174 Israeli passengers, and there were reports of a scuffle between the pilots, with one pilot allegedly attempting to bring down the plane. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir addressed the incident, saying that it was a reminder that Israel's enemies must be dealt with firmly. Ben Gvir described terrorism as "evil" and called for a strong response, saying that Israel should not negotiate with terrorists but instead "erase them from the face of the earth."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also commented on the incident, saying that Israel should focus on intent rather than results. He stated that anyone who tries to bring down a plane and kill its passengers should be held accountable, even if they fail to do so. Smotrich's comments were echoed by some Israeli officials, who called for a strong response to the incident.
However, not all Israeli officials were calling for immediate action. Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, accused some politicians of trying to exploit the incident for "cheap politics" at the expense of Israel's security. Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party and a former defense minister, also urged caution, saying that it was too early to draw conclusions about the incident.
According to reports, a scuffle broke out between the pilots of the FlyDubai plane, with one pilot allegedly stabbing the other. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where it was met by authorities. Israeli media reported that the pilots were from different countries, with one being a reserve pilot from Fiji and the other from India.
An Israeli passenger on the flight described the incident, saying that a doctor on board helped to treat the wounded pilot, allowing the plane to continue on its journey. Another passenger reported that a person with a knife attacked one of the pilots, and that he and several others intervened to stop the attacker.
The incident has raised concerns about air safety and security, particularly on flights between Israel and the UAE. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Israeli authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the scuffle between the pilots.
Key points
- Israeli officials react to FlyDubai plane incident with calls for action and caution.
- Incident raises concerns about air safety and security on flights between Israel and UAE.
- Investigation into incident is ongoing, with Israeli authorities working to determine circumstances surrounding scuffle between pilots.
