The September 30 Flydubai hijacking and reported terrorist attack have opened a pointed question for the Congress and its leadership. A flight carrying Israeli passengers came under an attempt to seize control of the aircraft, with the plane plunging sharply and emergency code 7500 signalling unlawful interference. Passengers and crew intervened to stop the attacker before the aircraft was brought under control and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Yet, as of October 1, there was no publicly documented statement from the leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Vadra or the Congress party specifically condemning the reported hijacking and terrorist act, expressing solidarity with the Israeli passengers and acknowledging the courage of the Indian pilot who helped save their lives.
My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.
Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026
The incident involved 174 people aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Omani co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed during the confrontation. The aircraft subsequently suffered a dramatic loss of altitude. Passengers entered the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker, while additional pilots aboard the aircraft helped bring the flight safely to Tabuk. Machchhar was hospitalised and reported to be stable.
The seriousness of the incident became clear as the aircraft suddenly descended from cruising altitude. Flight data showed a fall of nearly 14,000 feet in around 30 seconds. The aircraft first transmitted emergency code 7700 before changing to 7500, the internationally recognised transponder code for unlawful interference. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter aircraft as the situation developed, while the flight crew sought an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Reported terror attack places Israeli passengers at centre of crisis
The reported attack therefore went beyond a confrontation inside the cockpit. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the co-pilot apparently attempted to crash the aircraft with everyone aboard. Passengers and a crew member forced their way into the cockpit and restrained him, allowing the aircraft to be brought under control. The co-pilot was subsequently arrested after the plane landed at Tabuk. Authorities are investigating the motive and the precise sequence of events.
The identity of those on board is also central to the incident. The flight was travelling to Tel Aviv with predominantly Israeli passengers. They were placed in danger during an incident that Israeli officials have described as a possible terror attack and attempted hijacking. The passengers who intervened were consequently credited with preventing a potential mass-casualty disaster. The aircraft eventually landed safely, and the passengers were later transported back to Israel.
Against this background, the absence of a specific public response from Congress and its senior leadership has attracted attention. There has been no publicly documented statement from Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Vadra specifically condemning the reported attempt to seize the aircraft, expressing solidarity with the Israeli passengers or recognising Captain Machchhar’s actions.
At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two minute silence for everyone in the Congress, who believed Priyanka Vadra was the long-awaited solution, they should have embraced earlier. She is a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi, who thinks sporting a bag in support of… pic.twitter.com/UHofKVKdei
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 16, 2024
This is particularly notable because Congress leaders have previously taken visible positions on developments involving Israel and Gaza.
Priyanka Vadra’s public engagement with the Palestinian issue was particularly visible in December 2024, when she carried a handbag displaying the word Palestine and Palestinian symbols into Parliament.
She had also repeatedly spoken about the situation in Gaza and criticised Israeli military actions against the terror group Hamas. That established a clear public record of her willingness to comment on issues involving Israel and Palestinians. The contrast has consequently become part of the political discussion surrounding the Flydubai incident.
Congress silence on Flydubai contrasts with its Gaza position
The question now concerns the absence of a similarly visible response to Israeli civilians facing danger aboard an aircraft bound for Israel. The public record does not establish why Rahul Gandhi or Congress leaders have not issued such a statement, but their silence on this particular incident stands in contrast with their earlier public engagement with the Israel and Gaza conflict.
The Indian captain’s role received a markedly different response from several prominent leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly praised Smit Machchhar as a hero and said his courage helped prevent a major tragedy. Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian captain and the passengers who intervened during the emergency. US President Donald Trump likewise recognised Machchhar’s actions.
As the investigation continues, the absence of a response from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress remains part of the political story. If the party continues without publicly condemning the reported hijacking and terrorist act, without expressing solidarity with the Israeli passengers and without acknowledging Captain Smit Machchhar’s role in preventing a possible disaster, that silence is likely to remain a subject of public and political scrutiny. While Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have publicly recognised the Indian pilot’s actions, the Congress leadership has yet to make a comparable public statement on the incident.
