Netanyahu links Flydubai attack to election security warnings

Israel’s election campaign has been shaken by the attempted takeover of a Flydubai flight, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using the incident to validate his pre-election security warnings, while his opponents accuse him of politicizing an ongoing investigation. The dispute escalated as UAE authorities investigated the September 30 attack on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, describing it as an attempted terrorist act. Netanyahu swiftly positioned himself with the passengers and crew whose actions thwarted the potential disaster, praising Machchhar and the Israelis who entered the cockpit and subdued the assailant. He also initiated a broad review of security protocols for foreign commercial flights to Israel.

The political implications arise partly from Netanyahu's prediction a day prior to the incident that Israel’s adversaries might attempt attacks ahead of the October 27 election. His supporters have cited the Flydubai episode as proof that such warnings should be taken seriously, reinforcing Netanyahu’s longstanding claim to be the country’s most dependable defender of security.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid disagreed, stating that no such warning was conveyed to him before the flight incident and accused government supporters of forcing a connection between two unrelated matters.

The incident has turned the aircraft drama into another debate over Netanyahu’s management of intelligence and public warnings during a fiercely contested campaign. Netanyahu’s supporters highlight the narrow escape as evidence of Israel's vulnerabilities and the need for experienced leadership, while his opponents raise questions about how a potentially high-risk crew member managed to operate a flight to Israel and whether the screening system failed.

These concerns were amplified by accounts from officials familiar with the investigation indicating that the suspected attacker, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen, had shown extremist leanings before joining Flydubai. Officials are currently examining his employment history to determine if red flags were overlooked or inadequately shared across borders. No evidence has been found that he acted for a foreign government or terrorist organization.

Despite the lack of definitive proof linking Hammami to a larger conspiracy, UAE investigators are probing the circumstances, motives, possible connections, and both physical and digital evidence. This leaves several crucial aspects unresolved even as Israeli politicians debate the security ramifications. The safe landing of the flight has become a focal point in the public narrative.

Although seriously injured, Machchhar fought back, managed to open the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to intervene. A backup pilot assisted in regaining control, and the Boeing 737 landed safely at Tabuk in northwest Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for.

The episode unfolded at a critical juncture in an election dominated by security, accountability, and Netanyahu’s legacy. Netanyahu has been using the campaign to reassert his credentials as a security-focused leader, while his rivals argue that the shortcomings surrounding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack remain central to evaluating his record.

Consequently, the Flydubai case presents competing political narratives: a successful collective resistance that Netanyahu can associate with vigilance, and a potential screening failure that opponents can use to question the security apparatus overseen by his government.