Saudi Arabia rejected Israeli requests to send aircraft to retrieve Israeli passengers stranded after a Flydubai flight made an emergency landing in the kingdom, according to security sources.
Flydubai Flight Makes Emergency Landing
The Flydubai flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft had reportedly experienced a serious cockpit incident. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft. Passengers intervened and restrained the co-pilot, allowing other pilots to take control and land the plane safely.
All passengers were later reported safe and accounted for. Flydubai said the passengers would continue their journey on another aircraft.
Riyadh Rejects Israeli Aircraft Request
According to security sources, Israel sought permission to send military aircraft to Tabuk to bring its citizens home. The Israeli Air Force was preparing Super Hercules aircraft for the operation.
A Saudi source later told AFP that Riyadh rejected multiple requests, including a request for military aircraft and another involving a commercial Israeli plane. The source said Saudi Arabia had fulfilled its international obligations by assisting the passengers after the emergency landing.
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
The incident comes amid continued US efforts to encourage Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. Riyadh has maintained that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel requires a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.
