Netanyahu invites PM Modi and flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to light a flame at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony next year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Israel after speaking with the injured pilot about the attack that took place inside the cockpit of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
During an emotional conversation on Saturday, Netanyahu praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident and said he wanted the Indian pilot and Modi to light a flame during Israel’s Independence Day ceremony next year.
“You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world.”
Then he said, “I invite captain Smit and Prime Minister Modi that are great friends, I would like them to bear a celebratory flame. It’s our highest honor that we give on our Independence day”
Netanyahu then asked Machchhar how the incident began, with the captain describing what happened inside the cockpit before passengers and crew members stepped in.
Netanyahu asks Machchhar how the attack began
Machchhar told Netanyahu that the incident started while the co-pilot was praying. He said the co-pilot had asked for time to pray, and he did not consider the request unusual.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a conversation with the Indian pilot from the flight from Dubai, Captain Smit Machchhar:
“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.” 🇮🇱🇮🇳During the emotional conversation that took place this evening, the Prime Minister asked Captain Machchhar how it all started, and Machchhar revealed new details about the terrifying moments in the cockpit.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 3, 2026
Out of respect, Machchhar said he kept looking towards the front of the aircraft instead of watching the co-pilot behind him. A few minutes later, he was suddenly struck.
“A lot of locals, they do pray, which is not out of the ordinary. While he was praying, out of respect, I was just looking at the front and not at the back. Suddenly after I think I would say about four to five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head. My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something is not right. But then after that the blows kept coming one after the other. That’s when I realised that it’s not the aircraft, it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me.”
Machchhar said he then understood that he was under attack and needed to get the cockpit door open.
He managed to open the door once, but the attacker closed it again. The pilot said he knew he had to make another attempt despite his injuries.
“I had that one last fight left in me that, if I don’t do it, I’m going to die. And that’s when I pushed against everything. I gave everything that I had and just went for the door and opened it… and the rest is what you know, sir.”
The open door allowed people outside the cockpit to enter and help stop the attacker. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu praises flydubai captain after cockpit attack
Netanyahu told Machchhar that he was impressed by the pilot’s actions during the attack and thanked him for helping protect those on board.
“Frankly, I’m amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions. You were exceedingly brave. You saved so many lives. Please also pass the best regards from me and my wife to your wife. I know you have a family, and that you’re part of the family of nations. Please get well as soon as you can. Thank you for everything you did.”
The incident happened on flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE authorities have said the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with an axe and described the incident as a terrorist act. Investigators are looking into what led to the attack.