Israeli President Honors Civilians Who Thwarted Flydubai Hijacking

President Yitzhak Herzog presented civilian courage medals on Thursday, October 8, to Israelis who thwarted a terrorist attack on a Flydubai flight and neutralized the hijacker. The ceremony took place at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Among those honored were Yaniv Hayon, Tsvika and Tali Manes, Or Friedlov, Assaf Radjuan, and Dr. Shota Musaev, all recognized for their bravery during the incident.

Dr. Musaev, a dentist, provided critical first aid to the injured flight captain, likely saving his life. Passenger Yaniv Hayon, upon realizing the plane was losing altitude due to the hijacking attempt, re-entered the cockpit after the hijacker was subdued and managed to stabilize the aircraft by pulling the control column. Backup pilots, who were in the passenger cabin at the time, then took control. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

During the ceremony, Yaniv Hayon expressed his honor at receiving the medal, stating he would proudly display it for his children. Tali Manes attributed her actions to maternal intuition, while her husband, Tsvika Manes, said his daughters' pleas motivated him to act without hesitation. Dr. Musaev described the event as a chain of people helping each other, emphasizing that every link was crucial.

President Herzog lauded the recipients' immense civil valor, calling it one of the most chilling aviation stories in history. He recounted how the passengers acted spontaneously without orders or preparation, demonstrating their true character in a critical moment. The president highlighted that the lives of 174 passengers were at stake, praising Tali Manes for noticing the situation, Yaniv Hayon, Tsvika Manes, Or Friedlov, and Assaf Radjuan for confronting the attacker, and Dr. Musaev for his aid and medical assistance.

Hersog also acknowledged Captain Smith Machchar for fighting the terrorist despite his injuries and managing to open the cockpit door. He announced his intention to award Machchar a presidential medal for civilian courage as recommended by a commission and expressed gratitude to the backup pilots and other passengers who assisted. The president stressed the need for a full investigation into the incident.

Concluding his remarks, President Herzog stated that the medal symbolized not only the lives saved but also the resilience of the Israeli spirit, a spirit of courage, resourcefulness, and decisive action in the face of danger. He emphasized that in that critical moment, divisions based on politics or origin became irrelevant, replaced by mutual responsibility and the duty to save one another. He drew a parallel between preventing the Flydubai attack and the anniversary of the October 7 tragedy, noting that in times of crisis, Israeli society demonstrates its nobility and resourcefulness, standing together regardless of differences.