RismadarVoice Reporters
October 3, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to Israel as a guest of honour following an alleged attack inside the cockpit of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu said Machchhar would be invited to attend Israel’s Independence Day ceremony in May 2027, where he is expected to participate in the ceremonial lighting of a flame.
The invitation was extended during a telephone conversation with the pilot, who is receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia following the incident.
Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s actions during the emergency, describing him as a hero.
“You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you are a hero of the entire world,” Netanyahu said.
The incident involved flydubai flight FZ 1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit.
Authorities investigating the incident have alleged that the co-pilot intended to carry out what they described as a terrorist act. The circumstances and motive remain matters for the relevant authorities to establish through their investigation.
Machchhar said the incident began after the co-pilot requested time to pray inside the cockpit.
According to the captain, he initially regarded the request as routine but was attacked several minutes later.
Machchhar said he struggled to regain control of the situation and eventually succeeded in opening the cockpit door, allowing others to assist.
He said his recollection of parts of the incident remained limited because of the injuries he sustained.
“I had that one last fight left in me,” Machchhar said while recounting his efforts to regain control.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also publicly praised the captain for his actions during the incident.
Netanyahu’s invitation would see Machchhar recognised during Israel’s Independence Day events scheduled for May 2027.
