Overnight optimism over Dubai repatriation collapsed when El Al cancelled Friday flights for lack of UAE landing approval despite Transport Ministry assurances, prompting anger in Israel; by evening an Arkia jet left as the first rescue flight. Coverage shifted to the Indian captain's account of crawling to force open the cockpit door after the Omani co-pilot stabbed him and dived the aircraft.
A Emirati official for the first time called the attempt a terrorist act. Netanyahu said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalization and tried to crash the plane with 174 aboard, warning whoever sent him would pay a heavy price, amid reports of Israeli questioning that security officials denied and Emirati complaints of political exploitation. Late reports said Oman had previously grounded the co-pilot over radicalization.
The High Court overturned the ban on Ra'am, the Joint List and Ofer Kassif, while Balad chairman Sami Abu Shahada withdrew to avoid disqualification.