Netanyahu Invites Captain to Light Independence Day Torch After Flight Attack

Captain Smith Machhar recounted the harrowing attack in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing how he "almost lost my vision" from the blows. Machhar explained that after the co-pilot got up to pray, he refrained from looking back out of respect. Minutes later, he felt a strong blow to the head, initially thinking something had happened to the plane, but then realized the co-pilot was attacking him. The captain sustained further blows, hearing passengers scream and understanding the plane was being pulled downward.

Machhar managed to open the cockpit door once, but the co-pilot closed it. After falling to the floor, he realized he had another chance. During this time, he heard the screams of passengers and understood the plane was losing altitude. When he succeeded in opening the door again, he saw passengers and crew members waiting outside to enter.

Netanyahu praised the captain's actions, calling him a "hero for Israel, India, and the whole world." He extended an invitation to Machhar to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony. The article also mentions Yaniv Hayoun, one of the passengers who subdued the attacker on the Flydubai flight.