Israeli Bank Executive Helps Subdue Attacker on flydubai Flight to Saudi Arabia
A Bank Leumi executive was on a flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot stabbed the chief pilot. The Israeli CEO helped subdue the attacker.
Zvika Menis, CEO of Bank Leumi's Leumi Leumi underwriting firm, was on a flydubai flight that landed in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot stabbed the chief pilot. Calcalist has learned that Menis was involved in neutralizing the attacker.
Menis confirmed the events in a conversation with Calcalist, speaking in an agitated state: "This is a terrifyingly traumatic event. My wife was standing near the cockpit because my daughter was in the restroom. Suddenly she heard shouts from the cockpit. She shouted to a relief pilot from Fiji who was sitting there: 'Go in quickly, see what's happening.'"
"He called for help, and two others and I entered the cockpit and subdued the terrorist. I am covered in blood. It was crazy," Menis added. Menis recounted that the backup pilot who rushed to help is from Fiji, the stabbed pilot is from India, and the stabbing pilot is from Oman. According to him, "A doctor who was there bandaged the pilot, treated him, and allowed the flight to continue."
