Passengers of attempted flydubai hijacking fight for recognition as terror victims

A month after passengers stopped a co-pilot from allegedly carrying out a suicide attack at Ben-Gurion Airport, survivors say they have received no official assistance, despite suffering psychological trauma and struggling to return to normal life.

When survivors of the flydubai flight landed at Ben-Gurion Airport, following a harrowing ordeal that nearly ended in a plane crash but ultimately ended in what many described as a miracle, they received an official state welcome.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with several passengers who had overpowered and restrained the co-pilot, telling Yaniv Hayun, one of those who broke into the cockpit: "You are a hero. You deserve worldwide recognition for your bravery."

President Isaac Herzog also held a warm reception for the passengers who saved the aircraft and awarded them medals of bravery.

A month has passed since then; the cameras have long been turned off, and the passengers have been left on their own.

Although the co-pilot admitted during questioning in the United Arab Emirates that he intended to crash the plane at Ben-Gurion Airport in a suicide attack, Israel has still not officially recognized the incident as an act of terrorism for the purpose of granting benefits to the passengers.

As a result, those who require psychological treatment and financial assistance are not receiving the support available to victims of hostile acts.

The situation is particularly striking given that Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attempted plane crash as a jihadist terrorist attack on the day of the incident.

On October 9, the UAE attorney-general also confirmed that Hammam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot, had planned to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Ben-Gurion Airport, inspired by the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

During questioning, he said he had spent years preparing for the attack and had even used two previous flights to Israel to familiarize himself with the flight route and the airport.

However, statements by ministers and a detailed confession during questioning are not sufficient for the passengers to be officially recognized as victims of terrorism.

The National Insurance Institute can grant them benefits under this framework only after receiving authorization from the Defense Ministry's designated approving authority.

The decision is also supposed to be based on investigative materials and information held by security agencies, including the Shin Bet and Mossad, which are still examining the incident.

As often happens in Israel, each body is placing responsibility on another, while the passengers continue to wait.

Survivors report psychological trauma, lack of government assistance

Apart from the few passengers who met with the prime minister and president, others say that no official representative has contacted them since they returned to Israel to check on their well-being or ask whether they need assistance.

Some are struggling to return to their daily routines, suffering from anxiety and requiring urgent psychological treatment. However, they are not receiving funding for treatment through the National Insurance Institute as victims of hostile acts.

"No one has contacted us," said the children of one passenger, explaining that their mother is unwilling to approach the authorities and request assistance herself.

According to her children, she has difficulty sleeping at night, experiences changes in her mood, and they fear she may be developing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of what she experienced during the flight.

"To anyone complaining that no one called them," one survivor said, "I would lower expectations and say that even after October 7, no one called the hostages who returned or the bereaved families, so why would anyone call us?"

In a WhatsApp group established by the survivors, the passengers are trying to help one another.

Among other initiatives, they are raising money for passengers who cannot afford the psychological treatment they urgently need to regain their ability to function.

"People have not returned to themselves. Some are not going to work, cannot function, and feel that no one cares," one survivor said.

"Last week, some contacted the National Insurance Institute again and were rejected because authorization for recognition has still not been received."

"The state may think it is saving money, but because those who need psychological assistance are not receiving it in time, it will end up costing enormous sums. It is unclear what they are waiting for."

Co-pilot attacked captain with axe during September 30 flight

On September 30, during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an axe, seriously injuring him in the head.

The aircraft began descending rapidly, and passengers realized they could be heading toward a crash.

Tali Mans, who heard shouting from the cockpit, called for help.

The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, and several passengers, including Yaniv Hayun, Asaf Rajwan, Or Fardilov, and Zvika Mans, rushed toward the co-pilot, overpowered him, and restrained him using headphone cables.

Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist aboard the flight, treated the injured captain and tried to stop the bleeding.

Two pilots employed by the airline who were traveling on the aircraft as passengers took over in the cockpit and successfully landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The passengers subsequently returned to Israel on an alternative flight, but for some, the ordeal is far from over.

flydubai survivors prepare lawsuits that could reach hundreds of millions of dollars

Alongside the psychological difficulties they continue to face, the passengers are also preparing for a legal battle.

According to a report by Calcalist, the passengers have chosen the Naschitz Brandes Amir law firm to represent them in lawsuits against flydubai, the State of Israel, and other parties.

The claims could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.

A dedicated committee has been established to coordinate the legal proceedings, headed by Zvika Mans, CEO of the Barak Leumi underwriting company, who was among the passengers who overpowered the co-pilot.

The committee also includes Tal Eisenberg, Daniel Schlichter, Itay Perlman, and Shir Maor, all of whom were passengers on the flight.

Next Tuesday, the first expanded meeting involving the lawyers and passengers is scheduled to advance the legal proceedings, including a possible lawsuit against the state.

Defense Ministry and Mossad respond to delays in recognizing passengers as terror victims

In response, the Defense Ministry stated: "The approving authority at the Defense Ministry is in continuous contact with the Hostile Acts Victims Department at the National Insurance Institute, and its decisions on the matter will be made after receiving relevant information from the authorized investigative bodies."

The Mossad also responded: "The Defense Ministry is the authorized body responsible for determining whether an injury sustained by an individual is classified as a 'hostile act injury' under the Compensation for Victims of Hostile Acts Law. In order to reach a decision on the matter, the approving authority at the Defense Ministry requested the Mossad's assessment of the nature of the incident several days ago. The Mossad's response will be forwarded to the approving authority in the coming days."