Ben-Gvir to demand extradition of flydubai pilot to Israel after attempted terror hijacking

Jerusalem Post/Israel News/Defense News"Our security doctrine must be clear: Anyone who tries to murder or harm Israelis, the State of Israel will pursue them and settle the score with them anywhere in the world," he said.Follow us on GoogleNational Security Minister and Otzma Yehudit party chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir, together with members of his party, arrives to submit the Otzma Yehudit party list to the Central Elections Committee ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, September 7, 2026.(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)OCTOBER 1, 2026 13:49Updated: OCTOBER 1, 2026 13:51National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir will demand at Thursday's security cabinet meeting that Israel seek the extradition of the flydubai pilot who attempted to hijack a Tel Aviv-bound passenger plane on Wednesday, according to a statement from the minister's office.Ben-Gvir, a member of the security cabinet, stated he would call on the Justice Ministry and relevant diplomatic officials to immediately use all available means to secure the suspect's extradition to Israel, where he would be questioned and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."Anyone who planned to crash a plane and murder 180 Israelis must be extradited to Israel and pay the heaviest price here," Ben-Gvir said. "We cannot be satisfied with the fact that the disaster was prevented through abundant divine mercy and thanks to our heroic passengers.""Our security doctrine must be clear: Anyone who tries to murder or harm Israelis, the State of Israel will pursue them and settle the score with them anywhere in the world," he added.Travelers board a FlyDubai aircraft at Ben Gurion International Airport after a separate FlyDubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)Transportation Ministry calls halt to flydubai flights amid investigationBen-Gvir was among several government ministers who responded to the incident on Wednesday by calling for a tougher approach to threats against Israelis. He praised the passengers who intervened and said Israel's security doctrine needed to be strengthened following the attack. The incident also prompted an Israeli review of aviation security measures. Transportation Minister Miri Regev called for flydubai flights to Israel to be halted after questions emerged over the Omani pilot's presence on a route to Israel, while Israeli aviation and security officials examined procedures for responding to suspicious aircraft approaching Israeli airspace.Follow us on Google