Netanyahu Invites Indian Pilot Who Thwarted Hijacking to Light Independence Day Torch
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu invited Indian pilot Smith Machar to light an Independence Day torch.
- Machar prevented a hijacking attempt by his co-pilot on a flight to Israel.
- Four Israeli passengers helped subdue the attacker after the co-pilot assaulted Machar.
- The incident is being investigated for possible security lapses.
- Israeli President Herzog will recommend a heroism award for the passengers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special phone call with Captain Smith Machar, the Indian pilot of a Flydubai flight who prevented a serious disaster. Netanyahu praised Machar's bravery, calling him a "hero for Israel, India, and the entire world," and extended a unique invitation: to light a torch at Israel's upcoming Independence Day ceremony.
The invitation is intended to express Israel's gratitude to the flight crew for their exceptional courage and resourcefulness in the face of a deadly threat. During the call, Netanyahu asked Machar for a firsthand account of the events. Machar revealed that the co-pilot, Humam Al-Hamami, an Omani national, attacked him with a knife and attempted to dive the plane. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing four Israeli passengers, Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Musaev, Zvika Mans, and Assaf Rejwan, to enter and overpower the attacker.
Machar, who is currently hospitalized in the UAE with a fully casted left arm, recounted the terrifying moments in an interview with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described fighting for his life and feeling the plane dive, realizing that "everyone will die" if he didn't make one last effort. He pushed himself, opened the door, and the passengers intervened.
This incident has garnered global attention, with the international crew and brave Israeli passengers becoming figures of admiration. President Isaac Herzog announced his intention to recommend the "President's Award for Civilian Heroism" for the four Israelis involved. Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump praised Yaniv Hayon in a TikTok video, calling him a hero.
Meanwhile, a special Israeli investigation team has arrived in the UAE to probe the incident further, as the Omani co-pilot was transferred there from Saudi Arabia. Initial findings suggest a security lapse that allowed the attempted attack to occur, despite Israel having received the flight's passenger and crew list in advance.
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