One pilot of a Flydubai Boeing 737 Max stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft with everyone on board, according to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who disclosed details of the 30 September incident on the Tel Aviv-bound flight.

Netanyahu says almost all passengers on the flight were Israeli citizens. He spoke with one of them after the jet diverted to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

"As they approached [Israel], one of the pilots stabbed the second pilot, and apparently tried to crash the aircraft with everyone on board," Netanyahu states.

The passenger told him the aircraft "went into a spin and began to dive" during the assault.

According to the prime minister, the passenger entered the cockpit together with crew members and they "neutralised" the attacking pilot "while he was trying to sabotage the aircraft's systems". Another flight crew travelling on the flight also entered the cockpit and stabilised the aircraft.

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

The pilot who allegedly carried out the attack was arrested after the landing at Tabuk and is being questioned by Saudi authorities, Netanyahu adds. He says all passengers are out of danger.

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

Netanyahu adds that he has instructed security services to "prepare for additional potential threats" following the incident.

The account from the Israeli prime minister frames the episode as an attempted deliberate sabotage by a flight-crew member rather than an external security breach. Saudi investigators now hold the arrested pilot for questioning, and his interrogation is likely to determine whether the case proceeds as a criminal prosecution or feeds into a broader review of flight-crew vetting and cockpit security procedures on the route.