Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog believes that Israel narrowly escaped a terrorist attack when an Omani pilot attempted to crash a FlyDubai Boeing 737. “The world was on the brink of catastrophe,” Herzog said in an interview with Axel Springer Global Reporter Jan Philipp Burgard.
"If, God forbid, this terrorist's plans had succeeded, we would have experienced a catastrophe. There were people of many different nationalities on board, and of course international air traffic would have been in a complete state of shock - similar to what happened after September 11th," said Herzog. The passengers were only saved thanks to the courage of some Israeli citizens and the pilot from India, who overpowered the attacker.
“I’m not saying this man was entirely motivated by Iran,” Herzog continued. "But one thing is very clear: he was influenced by jihadist, extremist-Islamist rhetoric and ideology. And that needs to be followed and analyzed very closely." He also thanked Saudi Arabia, with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations, for the dignified reception of the passengers of the Flydubai flight after the emergency landing in Tabuk.
Herzog did not rule out a connection between the attempted attack and the anniversary of October 7th. “October 7th taught us something new: We can no longer take anything for granted,” said Herzog. "We do not know who around the world, in the Middle East and in Israel, is working in such vile and terrible ways against innocent people. That is why we must exercise the utmost caution in everything."
In the interview, Herzog also spoke about the war against Hamas as a result of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Herzog rejected criticism of the way the war was waged, including accusations that his country was committing genocide. "These allegations are outrageous, unfair, biased and anti-Semitic. They ignore the conditions under which we are waging this war," he said. Israel did not start the war and did not decide to fight it in civilian areas in Gaza. The Hamas terrorists were hiding there.
Herzog concerned about anti-Semitism in Berlin
In the conversation, Herzog also commented on the election victories of the Left Party in Berlin and the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Herzog said he didn't want to single out a single party, but he wanted to make it clear that he was concerned about the rampant anti-Semitism in Germany and the dwindling security for Jews.
“We are the nation-state of the Jewish people, and vigilance against anti-Semitism is deeply embedded in our DNA,” Herzog said. “That’s why we’re concerned.” His concern is also driven by an international campaign, fueled by Iran and Hamas, which is stirring up resentment against Jews worldwide.
Herzog described it as “disturbing” and “extremely worrying” that memories of the Holocaust are beginning to fade. "The right of the Jewish people to their own nation state and to self-determination is beyond question and cannot be disputed by anyone - by any political force of any kind. Such an attitude is despicable and we reject it firmly," said Herzog, without naming a party.
Despite the recent election results, Herzog said, he has confidence in the political system in Germany. He emphasized that Germany is a friend of Israel. "We have many friends around the world. I am very satisfied with the cooperation with the German government and the German leadership," said Herzog.
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