Flydubai pilot who attempted to crash plane ‘underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,’ Israeli PM says

Mr Netanyahu also said the pilot identified as an Omani citizen was apparently suicidal because he called out “kill me.”

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • October 2, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Photo credit: Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said preliminary investigations established that the Flydubai co-pilot who stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane carrying about 170 passengers “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”

The Israeli prime minister disclosed this in an interview with FOX News on Thursday, adding that investigations are underway to unravel his motive.

“We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” Mr Netanyahu said. “That appears to be something we’re gathering from his personal information.”

Mr Netanyahu also said the pilot identified as an Omani citizen was apparently suicidal because he called out “kill me.”

“It’s clear he was suicidal, that’s not a question,” Mr Netanyahu said, adding that it “looks very likely” that he had intended to crash the plane with its passengers.

The prime minister said investigations are ongoing to unravel the motive of the pilot who stabbed his captain and almost downed Flydubai’s flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Israel, which made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

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