2 hrs ago
Israeli Envoy Calls flydubai Incident an Act of Terror
An Israeli ambassador said an incident involving a flydubai plane was a planned act of terror.
The plane was headed to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, was accused of trying to crash it.
The investigation is still looking into whether he acted alone or had help.
Israel’s prime minister said anyone who sent him would face a heavy price, but he did not name a country.
The ambassador said some people may have wanted to hurt ties between Israel and the UAE.
Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit but helped alert the crew.
The ambassador praised him for his actions.
Israeli Ambassador to the UAE Yossi Abraham Shelley described the attempted crash as planned and an act of terror.
The investigation is examining whether co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami acted alone or had support from a group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said whoever sent the attacker would pay a very heavy price, without naming a country.
Shelley said the incident could have targeted the Abraham Accords and Israel’s ties with the UAE and other countries.
Shelley praised Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in the cockpit attack and helped alert the crew.
- Who
- Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was accused of attempting to crash the plane; Israeli Ambassador Yossi Abraham Shelley commented on the incident.
- What
- An alleged attempt to crash a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight is under investigation.
- Where
- The flight was bound for Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
- When
- The interview took place five days after the incident, according to Shelley.
- Why
- The motive and whether the co-pilot had support from a group remain under investigation; Shelley said the incident may have targeted Israel’s relationships, including the Abraham Accords.
Key facts
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ 1073
- Destination
- Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
- Accused co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami
- Israeli ambassador
- Yossi Abraham Shelley
- Investigation
- Authorities are examining whether the co-pilot acted alone or was connected to a group.
- Captain praised
- Smit Machchhar, who Shelley said was attacked with a crash axe and helped alert the crew.
- Israeli response
- Benjamin Netanyahu warned that whoever sent the attacker would pay a very heavy price; he did not identify a country.
Quotes
Yossi Abraham Shelley
Israel’s ambassador to the UAE
“After five days of this terrible attack to try to crash an airplane on ground with all the people on board, we know it was an act of terror and not an act of someone losing their mind. The investigation is underway to see if there is any connection, if it's a group organised.”
NDTV
“As time passes, the picture is becoming clearer: The attacker underwent Islamist radicalisation. He (Hammami) came to crash the plane with all passengers on board.”
NDTV
Sources
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