Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday met Yanik, the passenger who burst into the cockpit on the flight from Dubai to Israel and overpowered the co-pilot after he had stabbed the pilot of the plane.
Netanyahu met him at the Ben-Gurion International Airport after the plane carrying about 180 passengers, mostly Israelis, from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made emergency landing in Saudi Arabia during the incident.
He described the passenger as a hero, saying he saved the lives of many Israelis.
Netanyahu also gave details of the incident which he said he got from the passengers.
In a post on the X handle of the Prime Minister of Israel, he wrote: “This morning, there was a serious security incident on a flight from Dubai to Israel. Almost all the passengers on the flight were Israelis.
“During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the second pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.
“I spoke with one of the Israeli passengers. He told me that the plane went into a spin and began to dive. He told me that, somehow or other, he managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew members, and that together they overpowered the stabbing pilot while he was trying to sabotage the plane’s systems. Another flight crew on board entered the cockpit and managed to stabilise the plane.
“I salute these heroes, who displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster.
“The plane landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. All passengers are out of danger. The stabbing pilot was arrested and is currently being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.
“We are maintaining constant communication with the relevant authorities to ensure the ongoing well-being of the other passengers and their safe return home.
“I have instructed the security services to prepare for additional potential threats.
“We are holding ongoing situation assessments, and we will update you as the situation develops.”
