3 hrs ago
Israeli Ambassador Calls for Cooperation After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
An attack was attempted on a flydubai plane travelling from Tel Aviv to Dubai.
The article says the co-pilot tried to crash the plane and seriously injured the Indian captain with a crash axe.
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said Israel needs to improve its security.
He also said countries should share important information and work together.
Oman is investigating the incident.
Azar said investigators should find out whether information held by Oman was shared and with whom.
He said aviation workers should be carefully checked, even when countries do not cooperate.
He also called the attack a threat to efforts to build ties between Israel and Arab countries.
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said Israel will strengthen security after an attempted attack aboard a flydubai flight.
The article says an Omani co-pilot tried to crash a flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai carrying 170 passengers and crew.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after the co-pilot attacked him with a crash axe in the cockpit.
Azar said information about the incident was reportedly already held by Oman and called for an investigation into whether and how it was shared.
He urged better communication and aviation vetting, describing the incident as an attack on the Abraham Accords as well as Israelis.
- Who
- Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar discussed the attack; the article identifies the co-pilot as Omani and the injured captain as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar.
- What
- An attempted attack on a flydubai flight, in which the co-pilot reportedly tried to crash the plane and injured the captain.
- Where
- A flight travelling from Tel Aviv to Dubai; the incident took place inside the cockpit.
- When
- The attack was described as having occurred on Wednesday of the previous week; the interview was published on the third anniversary of the October 7 attack.
- Why
- Azar said extremists seek to derail regional cooperation and urged stronger security, communication, and aviation vetting.
Security and cooperation
Limits and unresolved questions
Information-sharing
Security and cooperation
Azar called for governments to share information and increase cooperation to prevent similar incidents.
Limits and unresolved questions
The article says information was reportedly already in Oman's hands, but whether it was shared—and who received it—remains under investigation.
Security without diplomatic ties
Security and cooperation
Azar said Israel can use intelligence channels, including with Oman, and should strengthen its own vetting and security measures.
Limits and unresolved questions
The article notes Israel and Oman do not have diplomatic relations, and Azar acknowledged that other countries may not cooperate.
Key facts
- Flight
- flydubai flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai
- People aboard
- 170 passengers and crew, according to the article
- Captain
- Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar
- Reported weapon
- A crash axe
- Investigation
- Oman is investigating the incident
- Azar's proposals
- Improve information-sharing, cooperation, and vetting of people involved in aviation
- Regional agreements
- Azar referred to the Abraham Accords, signed in 2020
Quotes
Reuven Azar
Israeli ambassador interviewed by NDTV
“We have intelligence channels almost with all the countries in the region, and that includes Oman. So when there is a will, there is a way.”
NDTV
“What terrorists are trying to do is to always find cracks in the system and our job is to narrow those gaps.”
NDTV
Sources
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