PASSENGERS FOIL PLANE CRASH



Israel Embassy says Israeli passengers stormed cockpit and helped prevent suspected terror attack

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — 01-09-2026 — Israeli passengers aboard a Flydubai flight reportedly stormed the cockpit and overpowered a pilot after Israeli authorities said the pilot intended to crash the aircraft with everyone on board.

According to the statement issued by the Embassy of Israel in Lusaka, the incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ 1630 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

In a statement issued by Ambassador of Israel to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana Ofra Farhi, the Embassy said initial information available to Israeli authorities indicated that the incident was being assessed as an attempted jihadist terror attack targeting Israeli civilians, the United Arab Emirates and the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

The Embassy said preliminary findings indicated that the pilot’s apparent intention was to crash the aircraft with all passengers on board.

Israeli passengers reportedly realised what was happening and entered the cockpit, where they confronted and overpowered the pilot.

The passengers then helped transfer control of the aircraft to an alternate flight crew who were travelling as passengers on the same flight.

The Embassy said the Emirati co-pilot and other crew members also played a critical role, working with the passengers to secure the aircraft and bring it to a safe landing.

“Their immediate actions saved lives,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy said the incident was not simply an attack against Israeli passengers but also an attempt to undermine the developing relationship between Israel and the UAE.

It said the incident represented an attack on the “normalization and peace” between peoples in the region.

The Embassy said terrorism would not break the relationship between Israel and the UAE, pointing to the actions of the passengers and crew as an example of Israelis and Emiratis working together during the incident.

“In the face of terror, Israelis and Emiratis stood together,” the statement said.

The Embassy said Israel remains committed to strengthening its relationship with the UAE and expanding what it described as the circle of peace represented by the Abraham Accords.

It also expressed appreciation to UAE authorities for their cooperation and professionalism in dealing with the incident.

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