Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson David Mencer on 1 October 2026 said that the people of Israel are 'extremely grateful' and hold a 'huge amount of respect' for Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who reportedly saved the lives of 174 passengers aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 after being stabbed by his co-pilot mid-flight. Speaking in an exclusive interview from Tel Aviv, Mencer said the incident had further deepened the already close bond between India and Israel.

What Happened on Board Flight FZ1073

According to reports, Captain Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot — described as an Omani national — while the aircraft was en route from Dubai to Israel. The attack caused the plane to begin a rapid descent. Despite being seriously wounded, the Indian pilot reportedly used his leg to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and overpower the attacker.

'We are extremely grateful not only to our Israeli heroes, but to that Indian pilot, that did so much even though he was being attacked to use his leg to open the cockpit door, to allow the plane to be wrestled out of the Omani pilot's control and allow that plane to be landed safely,' Mencer said.

Once the attacker was subdued, Captain Machchhar was stabilised and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The pilot is currently recovering in hospital, according to Mencer.

Netanyahu Convenes Security Chiefs, Moves to Honour the Pilot

Mencer revealed that Prime Minister Netanyahu, upon receiving information about the incident, immediately convened the heads of Israeli security agencies for an assessment. 'As soon as the evidence was presented to the Prime Minister, he immediately convened the heads of our security services to get an assessment of what was going on,' Mencer said.

Netanyahu reportedly turned to his Cabinet Secretary and instructed him to find ways to formally honour Captain Machchhar. 'This incident happened only yesterday, but Israel is very much considering what measures it will take to honour the man that did so much to save 170 lives yesterday,' Mencer noted. He added that the alternative — 'talking about 170 people being killed in the deserts of Arabia' — would have been 'absolutely catastrophic.'

India-Israel Ties in the Spotlight

Mencer used the occasion to underscore the depth of the relationship between the two countries. He pointed to the close personal rapport between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing regular phone calls and frequent contact between the two leaders. 'All of us in Israel, when you say these two names, we just think of the two of them with their shoes off in the Mediterranean talking about the future of the relationship between our two great countries,' he said.

Mencer also highlighted people-to-people ties, noting that many young Israelis travel to India after completing national military or security service. He further referenced Israel's defence cooperation with India, saying Israeli military expertise is 'helping to protect India from its enemies.' He also noted that India has 'no history of state antisemitism,' calling it a point of particular warmth.

A Symbol of Shared Values

Invoking a Jewish ethical principle, Mencer said: 'There is a famous Jewish saying that a person that saves just one person is considered as having saved an entire world, and all of us here in Israel have such thankfulness and gratitude to this Indian pilot.' He described the pilot's actions as 'a wonderful symbol' of the love shared between India and Israel.

As Captain Machchhar continues his recovery, both governments are expected to acknowledge his bravery formally in the days ahead — a moment that has cast a rare human spotlight on one of Asia's most strategically consequential bilateral relationships.