Netanyahu invites Indian pilot to light Independence Day torch

Netanyahu and the Indian pilot (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special phone call tonight with Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who prevented a shocking catastrophe aboard the Fly Dubai flight to Israel. During the personal conversation, Netanyahu told Machehar that his actions are an inspiration to the world, and extended a singular honor.

"You are a hero for Israel, India and the entire world," the Prime Minister told the Indian pilot. "I invite you to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony." The formal invitation expresses the gratitude of the people of Israel to the flight crew who displayed extraordinary composure and resourcefulness in the face of a murderous threat in the cockpit.

During the warm conversation, Netanyahu asked to hear firsthand how the events unfolded. "How did it all begin in that dramatic moment in the air?" the Prime Minister asked. Captain Machehar used the opportunity to reveal additional details from the moment of terror in the cockpit, when he was forced to fight face-to-face with the Omani co-pilot who attempted to hijack the aircraft.

The dramatic incident occurred on the flight from Dubai to Israel, when Omani co-pilot Homam al-Hamami attacked the Indian captain with a knife and began diving the plane toward the ground. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Chiyon, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rejwar, to rush in and overpower the attacker.

In an interview Captain Machchhar gave to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the pilot described the moments of terror: "At that moment I was fighting for my life. I had so many injuries, I fell. I've been flying planes for 17 years, the last 11 years as captain. I know, even with my eyes closed, what's happening in the plane."

Machchhar added: "I felt the plane diving. I understood that if I don't push one last push --- everyone will die. So I pushed myself, opened the door, and the passengers came in and helped." The Indian pilot is currently hospitalized in the United Arab Emirates, with his left hand in a cast.

The Prime Minister's gesture caps a turbulent week in which the international flight crew, alongside the brave Israeli passengers, became the focus of global attention and admiration. President Yitzchak Herzog has already announced his intention to recommend awarding the "President's Medal for Civic Heroism" to the four Israelis who acted with speed and determination.

U.S. President Donald Trump also posted a personal video on TikTok praising Yaniv Chiyon, the Israeli from Nes Tziona who took a critical part in overpowering the attacker. "He can be my plumber. He can be whatever he wants to be. What a job he did. He's a hero," Trump said.

President Yitzchak Herzog (Photo: Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)

Meanwhile, a special Israeli investigative team arrived in the United Arab Emirates after the Omani co-pilot was transferred there from Saudi Arabia for further interrogation. According to information that has emerged, Israel received the crew and passenger manifest for the flight in advance, but disturbing details have been revealed about an intelligence failure that allowed the incident to occur in the first place.

The invitation to light a torch at Mount Herzl on Independence Day is expected to become a prominent symbol of the alliance of courage between Israel, India and all who stood in the breach against terror.