The President of Israel is preparing to award medals of valor to four Israeli passengers after they helped restrain a FlyDubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and attempting to crash the plane. The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia before all passengers returned safely to Israel.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog revealed he will award the "Presidential Medal of Civilian Valor" to four Israelis who helped subdue the FlyDubai co-pilot following a violent incident on a flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday (30 Sep).
Herzog said the four passengers risked their lives to help others and prevent a major tragedy, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Israeli government.
The incident occurred on FlyDubai flight FZ1073, carrying approximately 174 passengers and crew, while en route to Israel. The plane experienced a sharp descent, sent an emergency signal, and diverted to land in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Samit Mushar, an Indian pilot, with a knife before trying to control the plane in a manner resembling an attempted crash. As the plane rapidly descended, some passengers and crew rushed into the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker.
Captain Mushar was seriously injured from the stabbing but managed to open the cockpit door for passengers and crew to assist. The crew and a reserve pilot aboard the flight helped regain control and safely landed the plane at Tabuk airport.
Among the passengers to be awarded is Yaniv Hayun, an Israeli plumber who said he entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot. Asaf Rajwan, who also helped subdue the attacker, will receive the medal as well.
Hayun returned to Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally welcomed him at Ben Gurion Airport. Images from the Prime Minister's Office showed Hayun wearing a shirt still stained with blood from the incident on the plane.
Passengers recounted rushing to the cockpit after hearing a woman scream that a stabbing was taking place. Rajwan said the incident happened suddenly, and everyone had to rely on instinct to survive and protect families, children, and other passengers.
Captain Mushar received treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as a "hero," saying his bravery saved hundreds of lives.
FlyDubai stated that the plane was controlled by crew members on duty and was safely landed. The airline noted that the cause and motive remain unclear and are under investigation, while the United Arab Emirates' civil aviation authority has launched a safety investigation.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matter in Saudi Arabia revealed that the Saudi government repeatedly denied Israel's requests to send a plane to retrieve Israeli passengers from Tabuk after the FlyDubai plane's emergency landing.
Sources said Israel initially requested to send a military plane, then changed to a commercial El Al airline flight, but both requests were denied. Coordination was handled through the United Arab Emirates rather than direct contact between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi sources stated the Kingdom fulfilled "international obligations" by assisting passengers after the emergency landing and confirmed that aid was not dependent on passengers’ nationalities.
Subsequently, FlyDubai sent another aircraft to transport passengers from Saudi Arabia back to Israel. The plane arrived safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv later.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and "appeared to try to crash the plane with everyone on board," praising passengers and crew who intervened to prevent the incident.
Some Israeli officials described the incident as a "terrorist attempt," with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz labeling it a "terrorist attempt by a jihadist group." However, the motives and background of the perpetrator remain under investigation, with no official conclusions yet.
The plane sent emergency code 7700, later changing to code 7500, which indicates suspected unlawful interference or hijacking. The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept but stood down before the plane landed in Tabuk.
Many passengers described the event as terrifying, with some saying the plane’s rapid descent felt like losing control before passengers and crew managed to regain control.
The incident occurred amid ongoing Middle East tensions and ahead of Israel's scheduled elections in late October. Investigations by authorities in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are ongoing.