Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir Demands Extradition of Suspected Hijacker

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confronts protesters as he arrives for an Israeli High Court of Justice appeals hearing regarding the electoral disqualification of Arab parties on Thursday. Amir Levy/Getty Images

Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has called for the suspect in Wednesday’s apparent hijacking attempt to be extradited to Israel to “pay the highest price here.”

“Anyone who planned to crash a plane and murder 180 Israelis should be extradited to Israel,” Ben Gvir said in a statement. “We must not be satisfied simply because the disaster was prevented.”

“Our security doctrine must be clear: anyone who attempts to murder or harm Israelis — the State of Israel will pursue them and hold them accountable wherever they are in the world,” the minister added.

Despite Ben Gvir’s request for Israel to take the lead, several nations will likely be involved in the probe, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, where the plane was forced to land.

UAE authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident because the aircraft is registered in the country, and UAE law applies to crimes committed aboard its planes even when they occur outside the country’s territory, state news agency WAM reported Thursday.

The suspect was initially arrested and interrogated by Saudi authorities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday. He later added that he assumed the suspected attacker would be transferred to the UAE for questioning, with Israel involved in the investigation.