Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of omitting a suspected Flydubai hijack attempt from a security briefing the night before, and he accused Netanyahu's allies of using the incident for political leverage. The Tel Aviv-bound flight with more than 100 Israeli passengers was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an apparent attempt by a pilot; passengers reportedly helped subdue the suspect. Senior ministers reacted with calls for severe punishment and unverified claims likening the plot to Sept. 11, while investigators continue to probe motive and any external ties.
Lapid Says Netanyahu Omitted Flydubai Hijack Attempt From Security Briefing — Political Fallout Grows
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Evelyn Hockstein - Pool/Getty Images)
Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to mention a suspected attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight during a security briefing the previous night, and he accused the prime minister's allies of politicizing the episode.
Incident Overview
The Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight, carrying more than 100 Israeli passengers, was diverted to Saudi Arabia after what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt by one of the pilots to seize control of the aircraft. Authorities say a major disaster was averted and that some passengers helped subdue the suspected attacker.
Political Responses
Lapid told reporters that "nothing even resembling the aircraft incident this morning appeared in the security briefing with the prime minister last night," citing The Jerusalem Post. He accused Netanyahu's supporters of exploiting the episode for election-related political gain.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote that Israel should address "the intent and not the results," saying: "Whoever tried to crash a plane and murder 180 Israelis must pay as if he murdered. He and every state or terrorist organization that sent him." Officials have not produced evidence linking the suspected attacker to a foreign sponsor.
Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar praised the passengers who intervened: "Thank God Almighty for the great miracles and for the Israeli heroes who showed tremendous resourcefulness and saved many lives," he wrote.
Unverified Claims and Ongoing Investigation
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a report from the C14 group alleging the pilot planned an attack modeled on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. That claim has not been independently verified, and investigators have not publicly established the pilot's motive. Authorities have cautioned against speculation as inquiries continue.
What Comes Next
Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive, methods and any possible outside connections. Political debate over whether the incident was raised in prior security briefings has intensified ahead of the Knesset election, underscoring how security events can quickly become focal points in an already heated campaign.
Note: Reports remain fluid. Some claims circulated on social media and by political allies have not been independently confirmed by investigators or authorities.
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