An attempted attack aboard a Flydubai flight carrying Israeli passengers was stopped before it could be carried out, according to multiple outlets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met passengers involved in stopping the incident at Tel Aviv airport, with video showing him greeting a passenger who managed to break into the aircraft's cockpit, according to The Straits Times.
Netanyahu praised those who intervened, calling them heroes, according to NBC News. He also said the situation was under control and vowed the safe return of passengers, according to Newsmax. Following the incident, Netanyahu ordered tighter security measures on Israeli and foreign carriers, according to The Times of India.
The Washington Examiner reported that a pilot identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national was involved in the incident, though the outlet's account was cut off in the supplied material before further detail on his role could be confirmed. Sky News raised questions about how a weapon ended up aboard the Flydubai plane traveling to Israel.
The incident also had a financial dimension. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli airline stocks surged nearly 9% following the hijacking incident. The outlet noted that Israir's stock had suffered a severe loss of value over the prior month, falling from NIS 1.60 on September 9 to NIS 1.44 by Tuesday, before the jump registered on Wednesday.
According to the Washington Examiner, the incident became a point of political contention in Israel during a tough election season, with Netanyahu claiming credit for alerting the opposition to the threat while rivals accused him of exploiting the situation for campaign purposes.
How the coverage differed
Center outlets gave the most detailed factual account of the incident itself, with NewsNation reporting that the passengers who thwarted the attack returned to Israel, and The Straits Times and The Times of India covering Netanyahu's meeting with passengers and his subsequent security order. Sky News, also center-leaning, focused on the unresolved question of how a weapon reached the plane.
Right-leaning outlets emphasized different angles: the Washington Examiner highlighted the political fallout and named a suspect, an alleged Omani national pilot, a detail not mentioned by other outlets and therefore a single-source claim. The Jerusalem Post focused on the financial impact, reporting the stock surge in Israeli airlines. Newsmax and Townhall centered on Netanyahu's statements and new details he revealed, though the specifics of those new details were not included in the supplied material.
NBC News, the sole left-leaning outlet in the material, focused narrowly on Netanyahu's praise for the passengers who stopped the attack, without addressing the political controversy or financial market reaction covered elsewhere. No left-leaning outlet in the supplied material addressed the security or political angles raised by center and right-leaning outlets.
What is still unclear
The supplied material does not specify what weapon, if any, was found aboard the aircraft, how it was obtained, or what the planned attack entailed. The identity and motive of the alleged attacker, including the claim that a pilot identified as an Omani national was involved, is reported by only one outlet and remains unconfirmed by others. The nature of the political dispute between Netanyahu and his rivals over credit for handling the incident is also not fully detailed in the material provided.
How each side covered it
Left
- NBC News reported that Netanyahu praised passengers who stopped the attack, calling them heroes.
“Netanyahu praises Flydubai heroes who stopped attack” — NBC News
Center
- The Straits Times and NewsNation reported Netanyahu meeting passengers and their return to Israel.
- The Times of India reported that Netanyahu ordered tighter security on Israeli and foreign carriers.
- Sky News raised the unresolved question of how a weapon got onto the plane.
“Israel's Netanyahu meets passengers of diverted flydubai flight at Tel Aviv airport” — The Straits Times
Right
- The Jerusalem Post reported Israeli airline stocks surged nearly 9% after the incident.
- The Washington Examiner reported the incident sparked political disputes between Netanyahu and rivals during election season.
- The Washington Examiner reported officials identified a pilot as an Omani national in connection with the incident.
- Newsmax and Townhall reported Netanyahu's statements that the situation was under control and new details he revealed.
“Israeli airline stocks surge nearly 9% following flydubai hijacking incident” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What happened on the Flydubai flight?
An attempted attack aboard a Flydubai flight carrying Israeli citizens was thwarted by passengers before it could be carried out, according to multiple outlets. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later met with passengers involved at Tel Aviv airport.
What did Netanyahu do after the incident?
Netanyahu praised the passengers who stopped the attack, met them at Tel Aviv airport, said the situation was under control, and ordered tighter security on Israeli and foreign carriers, according to NBC News, The Straits Times, Newsmax and The Times of India.
How did the incident affect Israeli airline stocks?
Israeli airline stocks surged nearly 9% following the incident, according to The Jerusalem Post, which also noted that Israir's stock had previously fallen in value over the preceding month.
Did the incident become politically controversial in Israel?
Yes, according to the Washington Examiner, the incident became a flashpoint during Israel's election season, with Netanyahu claiming credit for alerting the opposition to the threat while rivals accused him of exploiting the situation politically.
Who was responsible for the attempted attack?
According to the Washington Examiner, Israeli officials identified a pilot as an Omani national in connection with the incident, though this claim was not corroborated by other outlets in the supplied material.
Sources · 11 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningNetanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot for saving lives on Flydubai flight
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningNetanyahu praises Flydubai heroes who stopped attack
- The HinduLeft-leaningIsraeli PM hails Indian pilot wounded in diverted flydubai flight
- NewsNationCenterFlyDubai passengers who thwarted attack return to Israel
- Sky NewsCenterHow could a weapon be on Flydubai plane to Israel?
- The Straits TimesCenterIsrael’s Netanyahu meets passengers of diverted flydubai flight at Tel Aviv airport
- The Times of IndiaCenterFlydubai flight incident: Netanyahu says Israel preparing for other ‘potential threats’ - top development
- NewsmaxRight-leaningLapid Says Netanyahu Briefing Omitted Flydubai Plane Incident
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningYair Lapid: Nothing resembling flydubai suspected hijacking discussed with Benjamin Netanyahu
- TownhallRight-leaningIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Reveals New Details About the FlyDubai Terror Attack
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningFlydubai hijacking divides Israeli politicians during tough election season