US, Jewish group hail Captain Smit Machchhar for foiling flydubai hijack
Synopsis
The US State Department's second-highest official and a prominent Jewish advocacy group have both saluted Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for stopping a potential mass-casualty terrorist attack on flydubai flight FZ1073, even while gravely injured — an act of courage that drew praise from the leaders of both India and Israel.
Key Takeaways
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau publicly praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in foiling the attempted hijacking of flydubai flight FZ1073 .
AJC Seattle wrote formally to India's Consul General Prakash Gupta , calling Machchhar a hero who saved over 170 passengers , including more than 25 children .
The letter invoked Jewish scripture ( Sanhedrin 37a ), saying Machchhar 'saved over 170 entire worlds.' Both PM Narendra Modi and PM Benjamin Netanyahu had previously praised the Indian pilot.
AJC Seattle also wished Machchhar a full recovery, invoking the Hebrew phrase 'refuah shleimah' .
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and the Seattle chapter of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) have publicly praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in thwarting what they described as an attempted hijacking of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The tributes, issued on 4 October 2026, follow similar commendations from Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring the episode's international resonance.
Landau's tribute: 'Raw acts of courage'
In a social media post, Christopher Landau extended what he called his 'utmost respect and, frankly, awe' to Captain Machchhar and the passengers aboard FZ1073, including Israeli national Yaniv Huyan and others who helped prevent the incident. 'In a world in which machines and technology do so much for us, it's really inspiring to read about raw acts of courage by people who are just living their normal lives and not anticipating such a challenge,' Landau wrote. He concluded with a pointed message: 'The nations of India and Israel should be very proud!'
AJC Seattle writes to India's Consul General
Separately, AJC Seattle addressed a formal letter to India's Consul General in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, commending Captain Machchhar's actions during what the organisation termed the 'recent attempted hijacking.' The letter echoed the language used by both prime ministers in calling Machchhar a hero. 'Without his presence of mind even while gravely injured, over 170 passengers — including over 25 children — would not have survived this terrifying experience,' the letter stated.
Jewish tradition and a prayer for recovery
AJC Seattle invoked a passage from Jewish scripture in commending the pilot. 'Jewish tradition teaches that saving one life is tantamount to saving the entire world (Sanhedrin 37a). Captain Machchhar's actions saved over 170 entire worlds,' the letter read. The organisation also wished him a full recovery, using the Hebrew phrase 'refuah shleimah' — meaning 'complete healing' — and noted that such life-and-death experiences 'often leave scars which are invisible to the human eye.'
India-Israel ties and community bonds
Beyond the immediate tribute, AJC Seattle framed the episode within the broader friendship between Jewish and Indian communities across the Puget Sound region, calling it a reflection of a 'worldwide brotherhood' between the two communities. 'Captain Smit Machchhar represents the best of India, and we remain forever indebted to him for his role in stopping what could easily have been a tragedy of global proportions,' the organisation said. Notably, the incident — and the international response it has drawn — comes at a moment of deepening India-Israel diplomatic and people-to-people ties, with both nations' leaders already on record praising the pilot's extraordinary composure under pressure.
Point of View
A senior US official, and a civil society organisation have now gone on record, collectively amplifying a story that began as an aviation security incident into a symbol of shared democratic values. For India, Machchhar's recognition abroad arrives at a moment when New Delhi is carefully managing its relationships with both Washington and Tel Aviv. The international canonisation of the pilot also puts pressure on Indian institutions to ensure his medical care and formal recognition match the global praise — a standard that is now publicly set.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar and what did he do?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who reportedly thwarted an attempted hijacking of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He is said to have acted with presence of mind even while gravely injured, helping save more than 170 passengers including over 25 children.
What did US Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau say about the incident?
Christopher Landau praised Captain Machchhar and the passengers aboard FZ1073 in a social media post, calling their actions 'raw acts of courage' and saying the incident 'would have been one of the world's most horrific terrorist incidents' had they not intervened. He said both India and Israel 'should be very proud.'
What is the American Jewish Committee's response to the hijacking attempt?
AJC Seattle wrote a formal letter to India's Consul General in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, commending Captain Machchhar and echoing the praise of Prime Ministers Modi and Netanyahu. The letter invoked a passage from the Talmud, saying Machchhar 'saved over 170 entire worlds,' and wished him a full recovery.
Have Indian and Israeli leaders also praised Captain Machchhar?
Yes. According to the AJC Seattle letter, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have characterised Captain Machchhar as a hero, making the international recognition of his actions multilateral in scope.
What flight was involved in the attempted hijacking?
The flight involved was flydubai flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was reportedly targeted in what authorities and officials have described as an attempted hijacking, details of which drew international attention and prompted tributes from multiple governments and organisations.
