Netanyahu speaks to Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, invites him to light torch at Israel Independence Day ceremony

Netanyahu also invited the Indian pilot to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony.

“You are a hero for Israel, India and the entire world. I invite you to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony,” Netanyahu told Machchhar during the conversation.

Machchhar recounted the events during the attack, including how he was assaulted by the Omani co-pilot inside the cockpit and, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the attacker.

Earlier on Saturday, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Machchhar at the hospital. Photographs shared on social media showed the Crown Prince speaking with and embracing the injured pilot.

The co-pilot has been identified by multiple media reports as Hammam al-Hammami.

Machchhar has received widespread praise for his actions during the incident. Despite sustaining injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Machchhar and praised him for his courage and presence of mind during the incident.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has described the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073 as an attempted “terrorist act”.

UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said an investigation found that the co-pilot had attacked the captain inside the flight deck with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls.

Al Shamsi said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances and motives behind the incident, as well as to determine whether there were any links or prior planning involved. Technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence are also being conducted, with the final findings to be announced after the investigation is completed.

The UAE had initially urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on official information while the investigation was underway.