Israeli President Honors Six Civilians for Foiling Flydubai Hijacking
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism to six passengers who thwarted a hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight on September 30. The passengers, including Tali and Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan, and Or Pardilov, were honored for their courage in saving 174 lives. The president also pledged to award the medal to the injured captain, Smit Machchhar, and called for global unity against terrorism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Six passengers received Israel's highest civilian honor for preventing a flydubai hijacking on September 30.
- President Isaac Herzog presented the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism during a ceremony in Jerusalem.
- The passengers' bravery is credited with saving 174 lives and averting a potential catastrophe.
- The injured flight captain, Smit Machchhar, will also receive the award upon recovery.
- President Herzog called for international cooperation against terrorism and heeding Israel's security alerts.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism to six individuals on Thursday for their bravery aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The passengers, Tali and Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan, and Or Pardilov, were recognized for their actions that prevented an aerial catastrophe during an attempted hijacking. "We are gathered today in Jerusalem to honor six seemingly ordinary people who turned out to be extraordinary heroes," Herzog stated at the ceremony in Jerusalem. He emphasized that their courage, determination, and composure saved 174 lives and averted a global shockwave.
The President also acknowledged the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, who was injured during the incident, announcing he would receive the same award upon his recovery. Herzog highlighted the captain's exceptional courage and professionalism in preventing disaster. The Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism, established by Herzog after the October 7, 2023, massacre, is Israel's highest civilian honor for acts of bravery where individuals risk their lives to save others.
President Herzog used the occasion to call for strengthened international cooperation against terrorism, drawing a parallel between the multinational passengers who united to save the plane and the global community's need to unite against terrorism. He also urged the international community to give greater weight to Israel's security warnings, noting that recent events have underscored a reality Israelis know well: "when danger arises, it is good to have an Israeli by your side."
During the ceremony, the recipients shared their experiences. Tali Manes described herself as a mother acting on instinct, while her husband Zvika explained his actions were driven by the cries of their daughters. Yaniv Hayoun expressed pride in displaying the medal for his children, and Dr. Shota Musayev stressed the collective nature of the rescue, calling it a chain of people helping each other. Asaf Rajuan spoke of the bond formed among the passengers, referring to September 30 as a second birthday for them.
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