Israel Probing How Religious Extremist Cleared to Fly After Co-Pilot Stabbing Attempt Israel is investigating the vetting process for flight crew after a religious extremist from Oman stabbed his co-pilot in a suspected hijacking attempt. The incident, which occurred on a Flydubai jet bound for Tel Aviv, saw the plane drop sharply before passengers and crew, including an off-duty British pilot, subdued the attacker. The assailant's identity and motive are under investigation by Saudi authorities. Israel is investigating how a religious extremist from Oman, who stabbed his co-pilot in a suspected hijacking attempt, was cleared to fly. Passengers and crew wrestled the alleged terrorist after he attacked his colleague and tried to take control of the Flydubai jet, causing it to drop 14,000 feet in 29 seconds. The assailant, believed to be an Omani national, was identified as a religious extremist with unusual behavior, including avoiding handshakes with women and frequent prayer. The pilot, Smit Machchhar, was praised for saving the lives of 174 passengers by fighting off the attacker. Given Oman's lack of diplomatic relations with Israel, the incident raises security questions about foreign crew clearance. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the suspect was arrested.