Flydubai Attack Survivors Await Official Terror Status Amid Rising Legal Costs
Passengers involved in the September 30 Dubai to Tel Aviv incident are organizing lawsuits while waiting for Israel to classify the event as a hostile act.
By Yasmin Farouk ·
Survivors of the September 30 flydubai incident are seeking formal recognition as victims of a hostile act from the Israeli government. This status would qualify them for specific insurance benefits and state support. As of this week, that official designation has not been granted.
During the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an axe. The captain sustained serious head wounds before the aircraft entered a rapid descent. Passengers including Yaniv Hayun, Asaf Rajwan, Or Fardilov, and Zvika Mans subdued the co-pilot using headphone cables. A dentist on board, Dr. Shota Musayev, treated the captain, and two airline pilots landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
On October 9, the United Arab Emirates attorney-general stated that al-Hammami intended to crash the plane into Ben-Gurion Airport. The Omani co-pilot said he had prepared for years and used previous flights to study the route. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the event a jihadist terrorist attack on the day it occurred. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog later awarded bravery medals to key passengers.
Despite these public statements, the National Insurance Institute requires explicit authorization from the Defense Ministry to process benefits. That decision relies on investigative materials from security agencies, including the Shin Bet and Mossad. The Defense Ministry said its approving authority is still reviewing information from those bodies.
Several passengers reported that no official has contacted them since their return to assess their condition. One passenger’s children said their mother is experiencing sleep disturbances and mood changes, raising concerns about post-traumatic stress disorder. Other survivors described anxiety and difficulty returning to work. The group has used a WhatsApp network to share support and raise funds for psychological care.
Legal action is taking shape alongside the bureaucratic process. Passengers selected the law firm Naschitz Brandes Amir to represent them in planned lawsuits against flydubai and the State of Israel. A committee led by Zvika Mans, CEO of Barak Leumi, is coordinating the effort. Claims could total hundreds of millions of dollars. An expanded meeting with lawyers and passengers is scheduled for next Tuesday to advance these proceedings.
Mossad stated that the Defense Ministry requested its assessment several days ago. The agency said it would provide a response in the coming days.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
