Israel orders security review of foreign flights after alleged cockpit stabbing
In short
Israel's prime minister's office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed National Security Council chairman Shmuel Ben Ezra to appoint a dedicated examiner for a full review of all security aspects of foreign civilian flights to Israel. The order follows a September 30 security incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, in which, according to the Emirati side, the first officer is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to descend suddenly before other crew and passengers subdued the attacker. The flight diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
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Israel's prime minister's office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the chairman of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to appoint a dedicated examiner to carry out a comprehensive and thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civilian flights to Israel. Jiemian reported that the statement was released through the prime minister's office's social media account on the evening of October 4 local time. Xinhua reported the order in a headline. All three documents say who was tasked with the review and that it covers every security step for foreign civil aviation flying to Israel, but give no further detail. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The order follows a security incident on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv. According to the Emirati side, the flight's first officer is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to descend suddenly. After other crew members and passengers subdued the attacker, the aircraft was brought back under control, and it was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ]
Chinese outlets described the episode in similar terms: CLS and Jiemian both attributed the account of what happened on board to the Emirati side, and Jiemian credited CCTV News as its source. The documents do not state a motive for the alleged attack, give any condition for the captain or the suspect, describe how the review will be conducted, or say when it will report. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The review covers foreign carriers flying into Israel, so its outcome could touch how airlines and passengers are screened on routes to Tel Aviv. It also follows an incident on a Gulf carrier's flight that ended in a diversion to a third country, drawing in aviation and security authorities beyond the two states involved. The documents give no indication of what the review has found or when it will report.
Key facts
- Israel's prime minister's office said Netanyahu directed National Security Council chairman Shmuel Ben Ezra to appoint a special examiner to carry out a comprehensive review of all security aspects of foreign civilian flights to Israel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Jiemian reported that the statement was issued through the prime minister's office's social media account on the evening of October 4 local time. [ 2 ]
- On September 30, flydubai flight FZ1073, flying from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, had a security incident on board. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to the Emirati side, the flight's first officer is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to descend suddenly. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Other crew members and passengers subdued the attacker and the aircraft was brought back under control. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The aircraft was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Israel's prime minister's office said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered National Security Council chairman Shmuel Ben Ezra to appoint a dedicated examiner for a full review of all security aspects of foreign civilian flights to Israel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A security incident occurred on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. [ 1 , 2 ]
- According to the Emirati side, the first officer is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit, causing a sudden descent; other crew and passengers subdued the attacker and the aircraft was brought back under control. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The aircraft diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- What prompted the alleged attack, the identity and status of the first officer, and the condition of the captain. The documents do not state a motive or give any update on the people involved.
- When exactly the prime minister's order was issued. Only Jiemian dates the statement, saying it was posted on the evening of October 4; the other documents give no timing.
- What the review will cover in practice, who will conduct it, and when it will report. All three documents say only that a dedicated examiner will conduct a comprehensive review.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Security incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Israeli prime minister's office says on social media that Netanyahu ordered a comprehensive security review of foreign civilian flights to Israel. [ 2 ]
- CLS reports the review order and the September 30 flight incident. [ 1 ]
- Xinhua reports the review order in a headline. [ 3 ]