Flydubai suspends operations to Tel Aviv after co-pilot attack attempt
Summary
An Omani co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight headed to Israel revealed to investigators that he intended to crash the aircraft upon reaching Israel, as reported by ABC News. The suspect, who had previously been suspended by Oman Air for being a security risk due to possession of extremist materials, was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and is currently cooperating with the ongoing investigation into how he was allowed to fly for Flydubai. In light of the incident, Flydubai has temporarily suspended operations to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the suspect had undergone "Islamist radicalization," and both Israeli and US leaders, including President Donald Trump, are exploring potential links to external state involvement, including Iran.