Netanyahu meets four people credited with stopping attack on flight from Dubai

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at his office on Oct. 1 with four people his office describes as the heroes of the flight from Dubai, according to a post on X by the Prime Minister's account. They are Yaniv Hayun, Or Pardilov, Dr. Shota Musayev and Musayev's wife, Sigalit. [1]

The post said the group gave Netanyahu their account of the struggle to save the plane. One of them said they tied up the pilot who was stabbing people, using a headphone cable. The post quoted the speaker as saying the man was saying "Kill me," which the speaker interpreted as a sign that he had failed in his mission and preferred to die. The post did not say which member of the group gave the account. [1]

Netanyahu told the group that their heroism, resourcefulness and faith prevented a huge disaster and saved many lives, the post said. It quoted Netanyahu as telling them: "You will light a torch of civic heroism on Independence Day." [1]

In an interview with CNN's Jim Sciutto, Netanyahu said "they managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster." The Prime Minister's account posted the exchange, which referred to the events on flight FZ1073. [2] On Fox & Friends, Netanyahu called the episode "Hollywood on steroids" and said ordinary civilians had become superheroes, according to a post on X. [3]

The cause of the attack has not been established. Doron Spielman, the Prime Minister's Office spokesman, said on Fox News that the motive is still under investigation. "If this was terror," Spielman said, those responsible should know that "the long arm of Israel will find them." [4]

Netanyahu also urged Israelis to learn from the group, stay vigilant and keep their eyes open. "We are in a very sensitive time," the post quoted Netanyahu as saying. It added that Netanyahu said enemies intend to harm Israelis. [1]