A British MP has seemingly expressed suspicion at the speed of the enquiry into the Flydubai cockpit stabbing, which Israeli officials have labelled “an attempted jihadist terror attack”.
Ayoub Khan, who represents Birmingham Perry Barr as an independent, said he was “shocked” by how quickly Israel established what occurred on the Tel Aviv-bound flight.
According to Israeli authorities, the flight’s co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft, with the intention of bringing it down.
Publicly available flight data shows that the plane plunged several thousand feet within two minutes and transmitted an emergency code, followed by a hijack alert, before returning to the general emergency alarm.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the incident was an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” which was averted when passengers and crew stormed the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot.
They then handed off control of the aircraft to a reserve flight crew, who were travelling as passengers and landed the flight safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
I am genuinely shocked as to the speed of this enquiry by the Israeli spokespeople!!! Normally it takes them months if not years. I think i smell a rat!https://t.co/8VnUk7htiq
— Ayoub Khan MP (@AyoubKhanMP) October 1, 2026
However, sharing a BBC article outlining the events on X, Khan, who has previously called for British military intervention against Israel, wrote: “I am genuinely shocked as to the speed of this enquiry by the Israeli spokespeople!!!
“Normally it takes them months, if not years. I think I smell a rat!”
Since the attack was foiled, antisemitic conspiracy theories have spread on social media suggesting that it was a “false flag” operation orchestrated by Israel.
Others have claimed that it was designed to bolster Prime Minister Netanyahu’s popularity ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections later this month.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has ordered a tightening of security on flights entering and leaving Israel, instructing aviation authorities to “ramp up” checks.
He also hailed the passengers for averting a “major disaster,” while Israeli President Herzog has confirmed those involved will be recommended for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, one of the Jewish State’s highest civilian honours.
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