'Hero for the world': Netanyahu invites PM Modi, Flydubai pilot Machchhar to light celebratory flame on Independence Day

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and PM Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israel's Independence Day after Machchhar thwarted an alleged terrorist attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

Days after Indian pilot Smit Machchhar averted what is now being called a "terrorist attack" after his co-pilot, an Omani national, struck him with an axe on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight with Israelis on board, in an alleged bid to crash the plane, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday (local time) invited him, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.

Netanyahu, who spoke with Machchhar, who is currently in a UAE hospital undergoing treatment, said, "It's our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens, but I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now, and they will then too. So we hope to see you very soon in Israel."

The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel posted a video on X and wrote, "You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world. I invite Prime Minister @NarendraModi and you to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day."

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Captain Smit Machchhar bravely fought to open the cockpit door while under attack by his co-pilot, which allowed crew members and passengers to intervene, ultimately preventing a potential crash.

The incident was described as an attempted terrorist act due to the co-pilot's violent attack on Machchhar with an axe and his attempt to take control of the aircraft, which posed a significant danger to everyone on board.

Netanyahu invited Smit Machchhar to light a flame with Prime Minister Modi on Israeli Independence Day, a prestigious honor typically reserved for Israeli citizens, acknowledging Machchhar's heroism.

The attack occurred when the co-pilot, after requesting time to pray, suddenly assaulted Machchhar with an axe, prompting the dramatic struggle that endangered the flight.

Hamam al Hammami is the co-pilot identified as responsible for the attack on Captain Machchhar, having previously been barred from flying in Oman due to concerns over extremist views.

Netanyahu speaks with Smit Machchhar, seeks details of the incident

The Israeli PM spoke with Machchhar and sought details about how the incident unfolded, with the former recalling the terrifying moments and revealing new details. Machchhar revealed that before the attack took place, his co-pilot wanted to pray. Recalling the incident, the Indian pilot said, "While he was praying, out of respect, I was just looking at the front and not at the back, and suddenly, after, I would say about four to five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head." He added, "My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something was not right. But then after that, the blows kept coming one after the other, and that's when I realised that it's not the aircraft; it's the other guy who was in the cockpit with me."

Lauding Machchhar for his courage, the Israeli PM credited him with saving so many lives and added, "You're a hero of Israel. You're a hero of India. You're a hero of the entire world."

Flydubai pilot attacked: What we know

The incident took place on Wednesday on flydubai Flight FZ1073 while it was travelling from Dubai to Israel's Ben Gurion Airport with at least 170 people on board. The incident, which was first reported as a "violent altercation" between the two pilots, was later described as a 9/11-style attack. Following the incident, the flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk, where it landed at a civilian and military base.

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.

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