Australia launches probe into FlyDubai co-pilot’s past, and other Mideast news

Australian authorities have launched an investigation into an Omani FlyDubai co-pilot's time spent in Australia, as he is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates after allegedly attempting to seize an Israel-bound aircraft and crash it. The pilot is in custody following allegations of an attempted aircraft seizure and crash.

Australian Federal Police confirmed that a joint counterterrorism team, comprising federal, state, and domestic intelligence agencies, is probing the co-pilot's connections to Australia. New Zealand's police have also stated that the co-pilot spent time there, and Australian authorities will investigate. The co-pilot reportedly received an Australian student visa in 2014, arrived in the country to begin a university course in 2015, and left Australia in 2017.

His visa was subsequently canceled in 2019 after it was confirmed he was no longer enrolled in the course. Israel has barred the head of the UK Green Party, Zack Polanski, from entering the country due to the party's recent resolution defining Zionism as racism. The Green Party passed the motion at its annual conference in Brighton, declaring itself "anti-Zionist," and Polanski did not participate in the vote.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the Green Party's resolution as "a clear antisemitic text" and stated that it "legitimizes armed struggle against Israel." Meanwhile, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are holding a trilateral defense pact meeting in Riyadh, discussing regional developments and ongoing cooperation under the Mecca Joint Agreement.