WorldPosted at: Oct 10 2026 11:51PM


'You are forever part of Israel's history': Israeli President Isaac Herzog writes letter to Captain Smit Machchhar

Jerusalem, Oct 10 (UNI) Israeli President Isaac Herzog has sent a letter to flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar expressing the deep gratitude of Israel for his exceptional courage and determination in steering the flydubai aircraft to safety and averting catastrophe for the passengers on board the flight on September 30, 2026.
In his letter, President Herzog wished Captain Machchhar a full and speedy recovery and invited him to visit Jerusalem once he has regained his strength.
Captain Machchhar received the President's letter while recovering in hospital.
During a ceremony earlier this week to recognize the heroism of six Israeli citizens on board the flight and award them with the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, President Herzog announced his intention to present Captain Machchhar with the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism once he recovers from his injuries.
"Your ability to find the strength to rise above the pain, to combat the immediate threat to your life, and to operate sound judgment demonstrates the strength of your character and the great valor you possess," Herzog wrote in his letter.
Drawing on the ties between Israel and India, he added, "Your heroics place you in the distinguished ranks of Indian troops, who risked their lives over 100 years ago to liberate cities in the Holy Land, forever becoming a part of Israel’s history. You too, Captain Machchhar, will henceforth be a treasured part of our people’s history, further amplifying the warmth and connection between the Republic of India and the State of Israel."
"As you slowly begin your journey towards healing, I know that you are in the very best hands of our dear friends and partners in the United Arab Emirates. We all share heartfelt prayers for your full and speedy recovery, and I look forward, once you have regained strength, to welcoming you to Jerusalem and expressing the appreciation and the love of our grateful nation," Herzog concluded.
Indian commercial aircraft pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, has been globally hailed as a hero for averting a catastrophic mid-air hijacking and crash attempt aboard a flydubai flight on September 30.
On September 30, 2026, Captain Machchhar was commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying 174 passengers and crew members. Midway through the flight, his co-pilot—an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami—launched a sudden, violent attack inside the cockpit.
The radicalised co-pilot struck Captain Machchhar on the head with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and stabbed him, causing a severe skull fracture.
As the co-pilot attempted to seize the flight controls to deliberately crash the plane, the aircraft plunged roughly 16,000 to 17,000 feet in just 30 seconds.
However, Captain Machchhar despite bleeding profusely and losing his vision from the blows, summoned his final strength to push forward and unlatch the cockpit door from the inside. This allowed crew members, off-duty reserve pilots, and passengers to storm the cockpit and subdue the attacker, and steady the plane. The reserve pilots onboard took over the controls and safely landed the Boeing 737 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with zero fatalities.
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Tags: #'You are forever part of Israel's history': Israeli President Isaac Herzog writes letter to Captain Smit Machchhar
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