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Israel-Nation-of-Warriors-Flight 2026
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
September 30, 2026, Israel
At IKI we train in Airplane self-defense. Here are instructors Moshe Katz and Stephan Schutter training in the Netherlands.
Today once again we faced a dramatic airline hostage or crash situation. I can still recall the first major such event back in September 1970. My relatives were on one of those flights. It was also September, fifty-six years ago. The Arab terrorists hijacked four aircraft and failed to hijack the El Al aircraft, as the Israeli passengers fought back and overcame the terrorists. While four aircraft were successfully hijacked on the same day, the hijacking of El Al Flight 219 from Amsterdam was foiled: hijacker Patrick Argüello was shot and killed, and his partner Leila Khaled was subdued and handed over to British authorities in London. I wrote about his in my book, Israel; A Nation of Warriors (see below to order your copy). We have learned through our bitter and hard history that we must fight back, that is the spirit that I call A Nation of Warriors.
Once again today that proved true.
While the details are still not clear and the story is unfolding, this is what we know so far. There was an Arab co-pilot on the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. He repeatedly stabbed the captain, an Indian national who fought back. His name has been revealed; Captain Smit Machchhar, a Gujarati Indian. It is not clear if the Omani terrorist's intention was a hostage situation or to crash the plane into a major building in Tel Aviv, where the flight was headed towards.
The Flydubai incident on Flight FZ1073 on 30 September 2026 involved a suspected terror attack in which the Omani co‑pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with roughly 174–180 passengers, experienced a violent cockpit altercation. The co‑pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife or similar sharp object and attempted to crash or hijack the aircraft.
A major "9/11 type" disaster was narrowly avoided with possibly all the passengers being killed and many more on the ground. Many or most of the passengers onboard were Israelis and the spirit is -Fight Back. This is how we train at IKI, in fact one of our students posted a photo of one of the Israeli warriors who attacked the terrorist and wrote, "A lifetime IKI member!" This is how we train, not to be victims, to be proactive and confront, attack, and subdue the terrorists, and that is precisely what happened today. We are not passive victims. This is and shall remain an integral part of our Krav Maga training.
Let us look at some reports from today, as the news is still unfolding and the passengers are still in Saudi Arabia waiting to be flown home.
"It appears that the copilot repeatedly stabbed the captain."
"Once the incident began, crew members and numerous passengers managed to breach the cockpit door and overpower the terrorist."
"The entire cockpit was covered in blood. The Israeli guys took control of the situation and caught the attacker," the passenger said, adding, "We were either going to crash or be murdered. It was like a terrorist attack in mid-air."
Passengers aboard the flight said that one of the pilots was stabbed with a penknife and that they noticed a large amount of blood. According to them, the pilot lost control of the flight for several minutes, and the Israeli passengers helped regain control of the situation.
According to a passenger, "There were moments when we were sure this was the end. We heard screaming and yelling and then we saw them open the cockpit and that there was blood there."
Another passenger commented: "As soon as the cockpit opened, numerous Israeli passengers rushed forward. We heard shouts of 'Allahu Akbar.'"
Authorities are investigating suspicions that one of the pilots attempted to take his own life and crash the plane, which later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The second pilot, together with Israeli passengers on board, reportedly prevented the suspected attempt. (Israeli National News)
Further updates indicate the following (from the Hebrew press). The cockpit door was not locked. The passengers heard the shouts, the door opens and they see blood, and here the Israeli spirit kicks into action. The courageous Israelis do not stay in their seats. They charge forward, enter the combat zone and help overcome and neutralize the copilot (terrorist), but the miracle does not end there. There were Israeli pilots onboard and they landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. (note: It now appears that that last section is a bit of fantasy, it seems now that after the Israeli medics stabilized the Indian captain, he was able to land the plane. but the story is still unfolding. and the co-pilot was arrested upon arrival).
Taking action, taking initiative, being proactive, learning to defend and fight in and around a car, in an aircraft, this is all part of our IKI Krav Maga training.
Do you want to be the kind of person who stays in their seat yelling in horror and panicking? Or the kind of person who gets up, charges the terrorist and overcomes him?
The Nation of Warriors is a concept of teamwork. Warriors spot each other, work together, become a unit, and win.
See below to start your training today.
Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt Hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
Start or Upgrade Your REAL Training TODAY
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