'Hero Of India, Israel & Entire World': Netanyahu Invites Pilot Smit Machchhar & PM Modi For Independence Day Honour

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and PM Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony. Praising Machchhar’s courage during the cockpit attack, Netanyahu called him a hero of India, Israel and the world and wished him a speedy recovery.

'Hero Of India, Israel & Entire World': PM Netanyahu Invites Pilot Smit Machchhar & PM Modi For Independence Day Honour | X – ArutzSheva_En

New Delhi, Oct 4: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel's next Independence Day ceremony, describing the Indian pilot who foiled a mid-air attack as a hero of India, Israel and the entire world, during a telephone conversation with him on Sunday.

"Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you're a hero of the entire world," Netanyahu told the Captain.

"I wish you a very speedy and complete recovery," he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a conversation with the Indian pilot from the flight from Dubai, Captain Smit Machchhar: "You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world. I invite Prime Minister @NarendraModi and you to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day." 🇮🇱🇮🇳During the emotional conversation that took place this evening, the Prime Minister asked Captain Machchhar how it all started, and Machchhar revealed new details about the terrifying moments in the cockpit.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 3, 2026

Israel's highest honour

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The Israeli Prime Minister said the honour was usually reserved for his country's own citizens.

"It's our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens. But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too," he said.

Netanyahu praises pilot's courage

Netanyahu, who was told by the pilot how the attack unfolded in the cockpit, said he was amazed by his conduct.

"I'm amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions," the Israeli Prime Minister said, adding that what the Captain did was remarkable and that it bordered on the miraculous.

Pilot hailed for saving lives

He said the pilot had saved more than the lives of those on board.

"You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world to realise that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil, however threatening, however violent. It's something that is being justly hailed around the world," Netanyahu said.

"You're a hero of Israel. You're a hero of India. You're a hero of the entire world," he added.

Wishes for pilot's recovery

Netanyahu also sent his family's wishes to the pilot's family.

"Please also pass the best regards from me and my wife to your wife. I know you have a family and know that you're part of the family of nations. You're part of the family of nations and a heroic part. Please get well as soon as you can," he said.

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Invitation for Israel visit

Inviting the Captain again towards the end of the conversation, Netanyahu said: "So we hope to see you very soon in Israel. I look forward to seeing you here again. But under the circumstances, I think this will be a memorable and historic visit."

"Thank you for everything you did," the Israeli Prime Minister told the pilot.

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