Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised serious concerns regarding the screening processes for pilots flying to Israel after an alarming incident on a flydubai flight. The co-pilot of Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, allegedly attacked the captain mid-flight, prompting Netanyahu to suggest the co-pilot had undergone what he described as “Islamist radicalisation.”
The flight, carrying 174 passengers, experienced a sudden loss of altitude before the captain managed to regain control of the cockpit. Passengers intervened to restrain the co-pilot, while an additional pilot assumed control of the aircraft, ensuring the safety of those on board.
Netanyahu stated that preliminary investigations indicated the co-pilot’s actions may have been influenced by radical indoctrination. He also noted that the co-pilot made statements suggesting a desire to die. The Israeli prime minister emphasized the importance of reviewing current procedures for vetting pilots, especially from countries lacking diplomatic relations with Israel, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In light of the event, Netanyahu mentioned that authorities are considering whether the co-pilot had any connections to Iran, although he cautioned it was premature to draw definitive conclusions. He assured that investigators expect to gather more details in the coming days to better understand the motives and potential affiliations of the co-pilot.