Gewalttat im Flugzeug: Netanjahu würdigt angegriffenen Piloten: „ein wahrer Held“

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the fearless attitude of a pilot who was allegedly attacked by another pilot during a flight to Tel Aviv. The Indian captain, despite suffering serious injuries, resisted the attacker, opened the cockpit door, and allowed passengers to subdue the assailant. This prevented a potential catastrophe, saving the lives of 174 people on board, including Israeli citizens and others.

Netanyahu expressed hope for the pilot's quick recovery. The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the pilot's condition was stable after the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on an Emirati Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Early reports suggested that one of the pilots had stabbed his colleague as the plane approached Israel, intending to crash it with passengers.

The aircraft was in a nosedive after the assailant was subdued, and a second crew took over control. Passengers were transported to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight the same evening, where they were greeted with cheers. Netanyahu visited a man who entered the cockpit, recounting how he and others stopped the attacker. He noted that the assailant had accessed flight controls before being restrained.

Netanyahu emphasized the bravery of those who fought back, stating it was a "true hero" who saved lives. The Indian embassy confirmed the pilot's stable condition, but no details about the attacker's motive or whether it was a lone wolf or state-linked were disclosed. The Israeli government suspected a lone suspect, with no indication of state or terrorist involvement.

Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while investigations continued. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed relief that the attempted hijacking and possible worse was prevented, highlighting the pilot's and passengers' bravery in averting a total disaster that could have caused many casualties and unrest in a sensitive political climate ahead of Israel's upcoming elections.