Netanyahu Calls FlyDubai Cockpit Attack a Near-'9/11'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described a harrowing incident on a FlyDubai flight headed to Tel Aviv as a near-'9/11' event, praising the courage of passengers and crew who subdued an alleged attacker in the cockpit. Netanyahu recounted the events in an exclusive interview with Fox News on Wednesday.

"He acted with coolness of judgment and heroism… just tremendous courage that prevented another 9/11," Netanyahu stated, referring to a passenger named Yaniv Chayon who intervened when a pilot allegedly attacked another crew member and attempted to crash the plane.

The incident occurred on a flight carrying more than 100 passengers, many of them Israelis. According to Netanyahu, the alleged attacker stabbed the pilot and caused the plane to nosedive. The wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and subdue the assailant.

During the struggle, the aircraft dropped from 30,000 feet to 17,000 feet in approximately one minute before other pilots aboard took control and diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain, identified as Smit Machchhar, is reported to be fighting for his life.

Netanyahu met with Chayon, calling his actions "unbelievable heroism" under "impossible" circumstances. "His family was there, 174 passengers, most of whom were Israelis, were there. He had to save them," Netanyahu said.

The prime minister attributed the attack to "fanaticism and hatred" and suggested it was rooted in antisemitism, lamenting that many have fallen prey to propaganda that vilifies Israel. He noted that the attacker seemed to hate Israelis, intending to kill approximately 170 people on board, including himself.

FlyDubai has suspended all flights in and out of Israel pending an investigation into the suspect's motive. An Israeli official identified the co-pilot, who is reportedly of Omani nationality, as the alleged attacker. Investigators are working to determine if he acted alone.