Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has thanked Indian captain Smit Machchhar in a personal letter for his extraordinary courage during the terrorist attack on a flydubai flight on September 30, 2026. He also invited the pilot to Jerusalem and announced that he would present him with the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism once he has recovered.
Machchhar was captain of the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on which an Omani co-pilot attempted to seize control of the aircraft during the flight. Machchhar was seriously injured in the attack. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other crew members to intervene. They were able to overpower the attacker and prevent a catastrophe. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia, where another off-duty pilot took over and landed the plane.
The injured captain remains in hospital receiving medical treatment. It was there that he also received the personal letter from the Israeli President.
In his letter, Herzog paid particular tribute to the pilot’s extraordinary self-composure and determination in the face of immediate danger to his life.
Captain Smit Machchhar, you are a hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity!
In my letter to you which you received over the weekend, I shared our prayers for your full and speedy recovery.
As I wrote in my letter, I look forward to welcoming you to Jerusalem once you regain your strength. On behalf of the people of Israel, I would be honored to present you with Israel’s highest recognition of civilian heroism, the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 10, 2026
“Your ability to find the strength to overcome the pain, to fend off the immediate threat to your life, and to act with composure throughout bears witness to your strength of character and extraordinary courage,” Herzog wrote.
Last Thursday, the President had already honored six Israeli passengers with the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism at a formal ceremony at his residence in Jerusalem. The six men had helped to foil the attack on board the aircraft through their courageous intervention. During the ceremony, Herzog announced his intention to also honor Captain Machchhar with this award once he has recovered from his injuries.
In his letter, Herzog also placed the Indian captain’s courageous act in the historical context of relations between Israel and India. He recalled Indian soldiers who had fought in the Holy Land more than a century ago and whose service continues to hold a special place in Israel’s history.
“With your act of heroism, you join the distinguished ranks of those Indian soldiers who, more than 100 years ago, risked their lives to liberate cities in the Holy Land, thereby becoming part of Israel’s history forever,” Herzog wrote.
“You too, Captain Machchhar, will from now on hold a special place in the history of our people, further strengthening the warmth and bond between the Republic of India and the State of Israel.”
At the close of his letter, Herzog expressed his hope for the captain’s swift recovery, while also paying tribute to the medical care being provided in the United Arab Emirates.
“As you now slowly begin your journey to recovery, I know that you are in the very best of hands with our esteemed friends and partners in the United Arab Emirates. We all pray wholeheartedly for your full and speedy recovery.”
The President accompanied these wishes with a personal invitation to Jerusalem: “I look forward to welcoming you to Jerusalem once you have regained your strength, and to expressing the appreciation and love of our grateful nation to you.”
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