Gpo news

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Yaniv Hayun: “You are a hero. You deserve a global Medal of Honor.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Wednesday, 30 September 2025), at his Ben-Gurion International Airport meeting with Yaniv Hayun, the passenger who broke into the cockpit on the flight from Dubai to Israel [translated from Hebrew]: “You are a hero. You deserve a global medal of honor.”

Video credit: Itay Beit-On (GPO) / Sound credit: Yechezkel Kandil (GPO)

Visuals of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meeting with Yaniv who Burst into the Cockpit on the Flight to Israel
 
Attached are visuals of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting – at Ben-Gurion International Airport – with Yaniv, the passenger who burst into the cockpit on the flight from Dubai to Israel.
 
Video credit: Prime Minister’s Media Adviser’s Office
 
Still photo credits: Kobi Gideon (GPO)

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 / 19 Tishrei 5787

President Isaac Herzog Visits the IDF Judea and Samaria Division Following Recent Violence in the Area

President Herzog on the violence in Judea and Samaria: "We are a nation of the rule of law, and as a democracy with the rule of law, we make sure that the rule of law applies here. I condemn any effort to undermine this by vigilantes, and we will do whatever it takes so that these vigilantes will be arrested and brought to trial."

President Herzog on the incident on the Flydubai flight: "I want to thank the heroes on the plane, and I'm hopeful that the Israelis who are flying from Saudi Arabia will reach home soon. I want to thank our partners and friends. The United Arab Emirates is fighting terror with us and with other nations in the region."

On September 30, 2026, President Isaac Herzog toured the headquarters of the IDF Judea and Samaria Division, following recent incidents of violence in the area. President Herzog met with the Division Commander, BG Kobi Heller, received a briefing on the operational situation in the sector, and delivered a statement to the media in English.

President Isaac Herzog:

"We had a very challenging few hours with a very frightening and worrying terror attack on a plane. Thank God that everybody is being rescued, and I want to thank the heroes on the plane, and I am hopeful that the Israelis who are flying from Saudi Arabia will reach home soon. I want to thank our partners and friends. The United Arab Emirates is fighting terror with us and with other nations in the region. We must not allow terror to destabilize the region, and we must prevent all efforts to undermine the stability and peace in the region."

"I am here to support the IDF soldiers and commanders in the Judea and Samaria region, as well as their colleagues from the Police and others. We are a nation of the rule of law, and as a democracy with the rule of law, we make sure that the rule of law applies here. We condemn, and I condemn, any effort to undermine this by vigilantes, and we will do whatever it takes so that these vigilantes will be arrested and brought to trial. The events have been severe and totally unacceptable.

"The main challenge of our forces here is to prevent terror. There are terror challenges all the time. We thank the IDF for both fighting terror and applying the law, and applying and honoring judgments. I am sure that together with all the forces on the ground, we will be able to overcome all challenges."

Attached photo credits: Shalev Shalom

Video of President Herzog's Statement to the Media (English)

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/f995e0f56bcfecfba75c228d2b400c0820260930142931/32f715fa7ae44d1a6a8da5c585375d0c20260930144003/87d1b8?utm_source=wt_sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TRN_DL_WTP_01&trk=TRN_DL_WTP_01

Video credit: Gregory Bado (GPO) / Sound credit: Gideon Arnold (GPO)

Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572

Statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]:

"Citizens of Israel,

This morning, there was a serious security incident on a flight from Dubai to Israel. Almost all the passengers on the flight were Israelis. During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the second pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.

I spoke with one of the Israeli passengers. He told me that the plane went into a spin and began to dive. He told me that, somehow or other, he managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew members, and that together they neutralized the stabbing pilot while he was trying to sabotage the plane's systems. Another flight crew on board entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the plane.

I salute these heroes, who displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster.

The plane landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. All passengers are out of danger. The stabbing pilot was arrested and is currently being interrogated by the Saudi authorities.

We are maintaining constant communication with the relevant authorities to ensure the ongoing well-being of the passengers and their safe return home.

I have instructed the security services to prepare for additional potential threats.

We are holding ongoing situation assessments, and we will update you as the situation develops."

Attached: still photo of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a situation assessment with heads of the security services

Attached photo credits: Prime Minister's Spokesperson Team

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 / 19 Tishrei 5787

Media Advisory – President Herzog's Schedule for Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Later today (September 30, 2026) at 15:30, President Isaac Herzog will visit the IDF Judea and Samaria Division, where he will meet with the Division Commander, BG Kobi Heller, and deliver statements to the media.

President Herzog's statement will be open to media coverage, subject to prior registration via email: dover@presidentherzog.com. Media registration will close today (Wednesday) at 13:00. Media arrival will be permitted until 14:45 with a valid GPO press card. The President's visit will also be documented by the GPO, and press materials will be distributed upon conclusion.


Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 / 19 Tishrei 5787

President Isaac Herzog:

“On behalf of the State of Israel, I extend my warmest congratulations to Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri on her groundbreaking appointment as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. I wish her every success in this role.

“King Mohammed VI has shown great leadership in striving for peace and strengthening the historic ties between our two peoples. May we all continue to work together to expand the circle of peace and tolerance in our region.”

https://x.com/isaac_herzog/status/2105171628472651971?s=46


Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572

Prime Minister's Office announcement

Following concerns over an aviation incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations on the matter and is monitoring developments.

The incident is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel.

Prime Minister's Office announcement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completed a short while ago a security update briefing with Head of the Opposition, Yair Lapid, attended by the Prime Minister's Military Secretary and the Intelligence Officer of the Military Secretariat.

During the intelligence update, alerts of possible attacks on the various fronts ahead of the elections were presented in detail.

Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks to pilots and ground crews at IDF Air Force Tel Nof base

Prime Minister Netanyahu at IDF Air Force Tel Nof base: "There are signs that ahead of the elections, our enemies will attempt an attack on us. I have a message for them: Do not mess with us. Our long arm will reach you, anywhere, at any time".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said [translated from Hebrew]:

"I am here at the Air Force base with our heroic pilots and our outstanding ground crews. We are operating constantly on all fronts. The day before yesterday, we eliminated the despicable terrorist who kidnapped Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or. We brought them home, and we eliminated him. Last night, we eliminated the commander of Hamas’s Northern Gaza Brigade. He joined his predecessors, whom we also eliminated.

All told, in recent weeks we have eliminated more than 100 terrorists — and that is just in Gaza. Of course, we are also operating in Lebanon. You remember what we did to the Ali Taher Ridge.

There have been tremendous achievements, but there are also tremendous pressures — pressure to withdraw, to give up the great achievements secured through the heroism of our fighters. I am not allowing that to happen, and I will not allow it to happen.

And one more thing: We have indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us. So from here, from this Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I have a message for them: Don’t mess with us — not now, and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere, at any time.”


Attached photo credits: Ma'ayan Toaf (GPO)