Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:39pm on 03 Oct 2026,Saturday India Global
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after a mid-air attack on September 30. Netanyahu called Machchhar a “hero for Israel, India and the entire world.” He invited the pilot and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel’s Independence Day ceremony. Machchhar was also invited to light a torch, an honour usually given to Israeli citizens. During the call, Machchhar described how the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with an axe inside the cockpit. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers then helped control the attacker. Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s courage and judgment.
