New Delhi, October 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
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, praising the Indian pilot for his courage in foiling an alleged mid-air attack.
During a telephone conversation with Machchhar on Sunday, Netanyahu described him as a hero of India, Israel and the entire world, and wished him a speedy recovery.
“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 said.
He noted that the honour, regarded as one of Israel’s highest Independence Day distinctions, is usually reserved for Israeli citizens. However, he said the country’s people would warmly embrace the Indian pilot.
Netanyahu said he was amazed by Machchhar’s courage and composure under extremely difficult circumstances after hearing his account of how the attack unfolded inside the cockpit. He described the pilot’s actions as remarkable, bordering on the miraculous.
“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,” Netanyahu said.
Calling Machchhar a hero of Israel, India and the world, the Israeli Prime Minister also conveyed his and his wife’s best wishes to the pilot’s family and urged him to recover soon.
Netanyahu reiterated his invitation for Machchhar to visit Israel, saying the occasion would make the visit memorable and historic. He thanked the captain for his actions during the incident.
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