Netanyahu Praises Pilot Who Thwarted Hijacking

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with Captain Smith Macher, the Indian pilot who saved dozens of passengers on a Flydubai flight when his co-pilot attempted to crash the plane. Netanyahu expressed deep admiration for Macher's resourcefulness, calling him a "hero for Israel, India, and the entire world" for his courage under impossible conditions.

During the conversation, Captain Macher recounted the terrifying moments in the cockpit. He explained that after his co-pilot asked to pray, Macher was struck from behind and realized the co-pilot was the aggressor. Despite severe head injuries that blurred his vision and a sharp dive, Macher fought back. He described a final struggle to reach the cockpit door, which he managed to open, allowing others to intervene and regain control.

Macher also detailed the cockpit door mechanism, noting that while it has a code for external access, he had to manually turn a handle from the inside to open it. He credited colleagues outside with attempting the code unsuccessfully before he could open the door.

Netanyahu invited Captain Macher and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel to light a torch at the upcoming Independence Day ceremony. The Prime Minister also humorously mentioned speaking with Macher's dentist, who described the pilot's bravery as bordering on a miracle. Macher, who is recovering from his injuries, expressed eagerness to meet the dentist. Netanyahu concluded by wishing the captain a speedy recovery and emphasizing that Israelis look forward to his official visit.