Israel President Isaac Herzog has said he will honour Indian pilot Capt Smit Machchhar for helping foil the attempted hijacking of the flydubai flight despite severe injuries. The recognition follows praise for his actions in the cockpit and parallel moves in the US Congress to honour him and others on board.
Israel President Isaac Herzog has announced that he will honour flydubai’s Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with the country’s highest civilian valour award for his extraordinary courage in helping avert a potential catastrophe despite being severely injured after he was attacked by his co-pilot.
Herzog made the announcement on Thursday as he presented the award to six other Israeli nationals who helped thwart the attempted hijacking of the Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight 1073.
“Power of the human spirit, alongside the Israeli heroes whom we honour today. We send out heartfelt wishes for the full and speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar of India,” Herzog said.
“His sheer courage and bravery and sound professionalism helped avert this catastrophe. Once he gains strength, it would be my honour and privilege to award him, on behalf of the people of Israel, the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism,” he added.
Herzog established the award following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, after accounts emerged of civilians risking their lives to rescue others during the Hamas-led attack and the subsequent war.
The award recognises civilians who demonstrate extraordinary courage while placing their own lives in genuine danger to save others.
Praising the six Israeli civilians — Tzvika and Tali Manes, Yaniv Hayun, Dr Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan and Or Pardilov — Herzog said their bravery represented the spirit of people who choose to act when confronted with danger.
“The Medal for Civilian Bravery is being awarded to you also because, in the moment of truth, you revealed something much deeper: You revealed the face of the Israeli spirit. A spirit of courage. A spirit of extraordinary resourcefulness. A spirit that says: When there is danger, we act,” he said.
He added that the civilians had performed a “simple, human, and profoundly Israeli act” by choosing to save lives when faced with a critical decision.
WHAT HAPPENED ON SEP 30
As the flydubai flight was heading to Tel Aviv, Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Capt Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The aircraft plunged 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds as the crisis unfolded.
Despite being severely injured after being attacked with a crash axe, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the six passengers to intervene.
They subsequently overpowered al-Hammami, while two off-duty pilots aboard the aircraft took control of the plane and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar’s actions, despite his injuries, helped prevent the crisis from escalating into a potential disaster.
US CONGRESS TO ALSO HONOUR CAPT SMIT
On October 5, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced a House resolution honouring Machchhar.
The resolution, H. Res. 1612, was introduced by New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Republicans Michael McCaul and Don Bacon are also listed as co-sponsors of the resolution.
It specifically praises Machchhar for his “extraordinary courage” in protecting those on board and recognises the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped secure the cockpit and bring the aircraft safely to the ground.
