"Relations with the UAE are stronger than ever": Israeli ambassador in interview with i24NEWS after terror flight
Israel's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Shelley, says in an interview with i24NEWS that the attack on the Flydubai flight did not weaken strategic relations. He highlights the response of the UAE authorities as evidence of the strength of ties, and tells of coordinating a call between the heroic Indian pilot and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Israel's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Shelley, says in an interview with i24NEWS that relations between Israel and the UAE remain stronger than ever, despite the terror attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. Shelley emphasizes that the incident did not succeed in undermining the Abraham Accords, and that the response of the UAE authorities demonstrated the depth of the partnership. He recounts warm reactions he received from senior officials and the public in the UAE, citing as an example the quick response he got from a business executive at 1:10 AM regarding flights. Shelley clarifies that the investigation is being conducted in cooperation between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, and that Israel is considering sending an investigative delegation. He stresses the need to examine whether the attacker acted independently or was sent by another party, and calls for a reexamination of aircrew checks on sensitive routes. The ambassador expresses gratitude to the heroic Indian pilot, Captain Smith Machchar, and aims to coordinate a call between him and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Shelley firmly rejects reports of a crisis in the resumption of flights, noting that Israeli airlines are expected to resume operations later today.