Netanyahu invites ‘true hero’ Indian flydubai captain to Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to Israel as a guest of honor following his survival of an in-flight attack by his co-pilot. The captain successfully defended himself and the aircraft after being assaulted with an axe during a flydubai flight.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the high-stakes nature of aviation security and the strengthening diplomatic ties between India and Israel through a high-profile act of individual heroism.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday (October 3, 2026) invited to Israel as a guest of honour the Indian captain of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight who offered a dramatic account of how he saved the plane after being attacked.
Mr. Netanyahu said he wanted Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi , one of Israel’s key international partners, to light a flame at a national ceremony for Israel’s Independence Day next May, saying the role was usually reserved for Israeli citizens.
“You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel and you are a hero of the entire world,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a video his office released of his telephone conversation with the hospitalised captain.
UAE investigators have said that th e co-pilot planned the “terrorist act” by attacking Mr. Machchhar with an axe.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in