Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Friday that any country or organisation found responsible for the flydubai flight incident would pay a “very heavy price”.
An Israel-bound aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after its co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain. Authorities have since transferred both men to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they are investigating the circumstances and motive.
Meanwhile, flydubai confirmed on Friday that a full official investigation was under way. Chief Executive Ghaith Al Ghaith urged people to allow investigators to establish the facts.
Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation and intended to crash the aircraft with everyone aboard. He said investigators were examining whether someone had directed the alleged attacker.
However, Netanyahu identified no potential country behind the incident and offered no evidence of foreign involvement.
Read: Press TV Claims Israel-UAE Plot Behind Flydubai Flight Incident
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash separately described the incident as a terrorist act in a post on X on Friday. He praised Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, for helping prevent a disaster despite the alleged attack.
While officials investigate the motive, President Donald Trump of the United States has raised the possibility of Iranian involvement.
On Thursday, he claimed he was hearing that Iran was involved and threatened a severe response if investigators established a connection. Trump provided no evidence to support that claim.
