Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Netanyahu Invites Machchhar and Modi to Israel Independence Day
Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv when his co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit.
Machchhar said the co-pilot had asked to pray shortly before the attack.
He was badly hurt, and his vision became blurry.
The plane started descending quickly.
Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, and people waiting outside came in to help.
Two reserve pilots took control of the plane, which landed in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was taken to the UAE for treatment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him and invited him and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.
The ceremony invitation was extended, though one report says formal selection and approval are still required.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Captain Smit Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.
Netanyahu called Machchhar a hero of Israel, India and the world, and praised his courage and judgment.
Machchhar said his co-pilot struck him in the cockpit after asking to pray, leaving him seriously injured and with blurred vision.
Machchhar said he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene; two reserve pilots took control of the aircraft.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar was later treated in the UAE.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Captain Smit Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Netanyahu invited them to light a flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony, praising Machchhar’s actions during a cockpit attack.
- When
- Netanyahu spoke with Machchhar on October 3 or 4, 2026, according to reports; the flight incident was reported as occurring on September 30.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar received treatment in the UAE.
- Why
- Netanyahu said the invitation recognized Machchhar’s courage and actions during the emergency.
Invitation as recognition
Formal approval process
Whether the invitation confirms participation
Invitation as recognition
Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Modi to light the flame and described the honour as recognition of Machchhar’s bravery.
Formal approval process
One report says the invitation does not itself finalize the torch-lighter list; nominees are selected by a public advisory committee and require formal approval.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- Passengers
- Reports say the aircraft was carrying 174 passengers.
- Attack
- Machchhar said his co-pilot struck him in the cockpit; reports say a crash axe was used.
- Flight emergency
- The plane transmitted emergency signals and descended more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet.
- Landing
- The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; two reserve pilots took control.
- Medical care
- Machchhar was treated in the UAE, with reports identifying Abu Dhabi as his continuing treatment location.
- Proposed honour
- Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Narendra Modi to light a flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.
- Approval process
- One report says torch-lighter nominees are selected by a public advisory committee and require designated ministerial approval.
Sources
Netanyahu Calls Smit Machchhar A Hero: Invites Him & PM Modi To Israel Independence Day | News18
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