An apparent attempted hijacking by a pilot of a FlyDubai flight on its way to Israel from Dubai on Wednesday was thwarted by passengers, including two pilots who were on board as passengers. According to news accounts, the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737. A group of passengers reportedly stormed the cockpit and took back control but not before the plane lost 15,000 feet of altitude in about a minute, causing damage to its rudder. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli authorities claimed that a potential 9/11-style attack on Israel was averted.

The FlyDubai incident followed by one day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming in a video statement recorded at the Tel Nof airbase that there were concerns that “enemies” of Israel may attempt to attack it ahead of the October 27 election. “We have indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us,” Netanyahu said in the video, reported The Times of Israel. “So from here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of Israel, I am sending you a message: Don’t mess with us—not now, and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere and at any time,” he said in Hebrew. He did not elaborate on the nature of the purported threat or give any details on the “indications” of a pre-election attack.

According to security sources cited by Kan news, Haaretz and Army Radio, the army had seen no specific threat to indicate that any of Israel’s enemies are planning to attack ahead of the election, and has not raised its alert level or mobilized additional troops in any sectors.