From The Straits Times · · 1m 20s
Netanyahu Invites Indian Captain to Israel
Netanyahu names Indian flydubai captain hero for May 2027 Independence Day ceremony.
In brief
Netanyahu names Indian flydubai captain hero for May 2027 Independence Day ceremony. Netanyahu invited Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Israel as guest of honour for Independence Day ceremony in May 2027, praising his heroism during an in-flight attack. Originally reported by The Straits Times.
Netanyahu invites captain
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Israel as guest of honour for his heroic actions during an in-flight attack.
Captain describes attack
Machchhar said the co-pilot attacked him with an axe after pretending to pray, and he fought back to open the cockpit door and save the plane.
UAE labels incident
UAE investigators labelled the incident a 'terrorist act', and Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a hero of both India and Israel.
Netanyahu plans ceremony
Netanyahu planned a joint Independence Day ceremony with Prime Minister Modi for May 2027, saying the role is usually reserved for Israeli citizens.
Captain's account
Machchhar described how the co-pilot attacked him with an axe after pretending to pray, and he fought back to open the cockpit door and save the plane.
What happens next
Netanyahu and Modi will light a flame for Israel’s Independence Day in May 2027 as part of the joint ceremony.
The headline
Netanyahu invited Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Israel as guest of honour for Independence Day ceremony in May 2027, praising his heroism during an in-flight attack.
