President Isaac Herzog presented the Presidential Medal of Civilian Heroism to six Israeli passengers of flydubai flight FZ1073 • They subdued the co-pilot attacker and helped save the 174 passengers aboard | Herzog said the wounded Indian captain will also receive the medal (Israel News)
President Isaac Herzog on Thursday awarded the Presidential Medal of Civilian Heroism to six Israeli passengers who overpowered the attacker aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Their actions helped save the lives of the 174 people on board. The ceremony took place at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, one week after the incident.
The six honorees are Dr. Shota Musayev, Yaniv Hayoun, Asaf Rajuan, Or Bardilov, and the married couple Tali and Zvika Manes.
Arutz Sheva reported that Herzog credited Tali Manes with recognizing what was happening and calling for help. He also credited Hayoun, Zvika Manes, Bardilov and Rajuan, who rushed the attacker, subdued him and helped restore control of the aircraft. Musayev helped restrain the assailant and gave the injured pilot lifesaving medical treatment.
Matzav reported that Tali Manes was near the cockpit with her young daughter when she heard a violent struggle inside, and that she was the first to sound the alarm. After the attacker was restrained, she called forward qualified pilots who were traveling in the rear of the plane to help regain control. According to the same report, passengers restrained the attacker with headphone cables and other materials found on board. Musayev, a dentist, worked to stop the captain's bleeding and kept him conscious until the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the attacker was taken into custody.
Herzog also praised the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar. He said Machchhar fought the attacker despite serious wounds and managed to open the cockpit door. The president wished him a full recovery. He said he intends to award Machchhar the same medal as well, following the committee's recommendation.
"You are the six who prevented a major aviation disaster - a disaster that could have changed the face of the State of Israel and the Middle East," Herzog told the recipients.
He described an aircraft "in freefall, amid seconds of chaos and fear," in which "the lives of 174 passengers hung in the balance - and who knows how many more people on the ground."
The president insisted that the passengers' courage does not replace a full investigation. "The civilian heroism and resourcefulness demonstrated by the heroes here cannot absolve us of the duty to get full answers. Everyone, all of us, deserve clear and satisfactory answers," he said.
Herzog also spoke about the unity shown on board. "You did not stop to ask one another, 'Which side are you on?' 'Who are you going to vote for in the election?' 'Where do you come from?'" he said. He closed by telling the six that "at the moment when you had to choose - you chose life."
Herzog initially said he would recommend four of the passengers: Hayoun, Musayev, Zvika Manes and Rajuan. He later added Tali Manes, Zvika's wife, to the list. The Jerusalem Post reported that Herzog created the award after the October 7 massacre. It honors civilians who put their lives in genuine danger to save others, and recipients are chosen on the recommendation of an advisory committee the president appoints. Herzog also awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor to Israel Bonds for its role in contributing to Israel's global economic standing.
