'Israeli' president calls for awards for four passengers after Flydubai incident

• Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a confrontation broke out in the cockpit.
• Reports said the co-pilot attacked and stabbed the captain before passengers and crew intervened.
• The plane issued an emergency signal and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday he would recommend honoring four passengers who helped prevent an attempt to take control of a Flydubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Herzog said in a statement that the men had put themselves at risk to save others and prevent what he described as a potential disaster.

"I called the four heroic passengers who displayed extraordinary courage in an impossible situation, and informed them that it is my intention to recommend awarding the President's Medal for Civilian Bravery," a statement posted on Herzog's X account read.

אות הנשיא לגבורה אזרחית ליניב חיון, לצביקה מנס, לאסף רג׳ואן ולד״ר שוטה מוסייב.

התקשרתי לארבעת הנוסעים הגיבורים שגילו אומץ יוצא דופן בסיטואציה בלתי אפשרית, ובישרתי להם שבכוונתי להמליץ על הענקת ״אות נשיא המדינה לגבורה אזרחית״.

לצידם, היו עוד מי שפעלו באומץ ובתושייה וסייעו למנוע…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 1, 2026

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 people from the United Arab Emirates to ‘Israel’, according to the report.

‘Israeli’ and international reports said a confrontation broke out inside the cockpit after the co-pilot attacked and stabbed the captain. ‘Israeli’ authorities said the co-pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft, prompting passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain him.

The aircraft sent an emergency signal and experienced instability before other pilots who were aboard took control and the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, the report said.

The captain, an Indian national, was injured in the attack, while passengers restrained the co-pilot and removed him from the controls. ‘Israeli’ emergency services said three passengers sustained minor injuries. 

Read more: Flydubai passenger describes panic after cockpit incident