Yasmin Abukasis awaited her daughter’s arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, clutching signs and balloons, thinking about a family reunion after a long separation. Nearly a year had passed since her daughter left for abroad, intending to come back to Israel for her brother’s memorial. However, the anticipated joyful moment took a shocking turn when Yasmin received a phone call from her daughter that forever altered the fabric of their reunion.
A Shocking Revelation
During the call, Yasmin’s daughter informed her, “Hi Mom, everything okay? I’m in Saudi Arabia.” This simple introduction quickly escalated into a horrifying account that none of them could fathom. Yasmin was puzzled initially, glancing at the flight arrival board and unable to comprehend why her daughter’s flight from Dubai had not landed. A nearby traveler speculated about a conflict between crew members, yet these early remarks did little to clarify the situation. It was only when her daughter called that Yasmin began to grasp the severity of what transpired.
Her daughter recounted a disturbing scene: while seated near the cockpit, she noticed the door ajar and heard a struggle within. Approaching cautiously, she witnessed a grim confrontation between two pilots—one wielding a pocketknife, inflicting serious injuries upon the other. “Blood was spilling everywhere,” Yasmin recalled as she absorbed the harrowing details from her daughter. The situation escalated quickly, with passengers in a state of panic as the plane began a rapid descent.
A Fight for Control
Witnesses described the atmosphere on the plane as a mix of confusion and terror. Several Israeli passengers bolted toward the cockpit, managing to restrain the attacker after a brief struggle. Yasmin, still piecing together the incident, knew that one pilot was critically injured. Medical professionals on board—an off-duty dentist and nurse—immediately sprang into action to provide urgent care. Despite the attacker being subdued, the anxiety continued to grip those aboard. The plane shook violently, and uncertainty lingered about whether the situation was truly under control or if another threat loomed.
“She screams ‘Shema Yisrael,’” Yasmin quoted her daughter, who clung tightly to the passenger beside her while praying fervently for survival. “No, there’s no way, it will be okay, we’re going to survive.” These moments felt agonizingly surreal, especially with the haunting memory of another tragic incident—the loss of her son to violence just months before.
The Wait and the Disappointment
As the minutes turned to hours at Ben Gurion Airport, the initial relief of hearing her daughter’s voice was overshadowed by a rising sense of frustration. Yasmin criticized the lack of communication from Israeli authorities, expressing disappointment at the absence of support despite the grave circumstances. “Where are all our people? Where is the Foreign Ministry?” she inquired, highlighting the sense of abandonment she felt while waiting anxiously, her two children by her side.
Despite the complex nature of the incident taking place in Saudi Arabia, Yasmin expected a prompt response from officials. Hours passed with no updates from authorities, forcing her to reach out to organizations like Yad Labanim in a bid to initiate a coordinated response. “It is truly sad that this is how citizens of the State of Israel are treated,” she lamented.
Ultimately, all Yasmin longed for was the simple joy of seeing her daughter walk through the terminal gates, a moment filled with both relief and love. In her heart, she clung to hope, saying, “Absolutely. And then, with G-d’s help, I’ll be calm.” The waiting was a test, but after experiencing unimaginable fear, the thought of finally embracing her daughter provided a flicker of comfort amid the chaos.