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Netanyahu Hails Captain Smit as 'Hero,' Invites Him with PM Modi to Israel's Independence Day.
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News18•04-10-2026, 00:45
Netanyahu Hails Captain Smit as 'Hero,' Invites Him with PM Modi to Israel's Independence Day.
- •Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian Captain Smit Machhar for saving hundreds of lives on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Netanyahu invited Captain Smit as a special guest to Israel's Independence Day ceremony with PM Narendra Modi, where they will light the main 'torch'.
- •Captain Smit shared details of the terrifying attack inside the cockpit, where a co-pilot assaulted him.
- •Despite the assault, Captain Smit bravely managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to overpower the attacker.
- •Netanyahu lauded Captain Smit's courage and welcomed him and his family into Israel's national family.
Key Questions Answered
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Captain Smit Machhar to praise his incredible bravery and coolness after the Indian pilot survived a cockpit attack and saved hundreds of lives on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Benjamin Netanyahu invited both PM Narendra Modi and Captain Smit as special guests to Israel's Independence Day ceremony, where they will be given the highest national honor of lighting the main torch together.
Despite suffering heavy blows to his head, severe bleeding, and blurred vision, Captain Smit gathered his remaining strength from the floor, reached the door knob to open it, and allowed alert crew members and passengers to rush inside and overpower the attacker.
