Israeli President Herzog hails Capt Smit Machchhar, to award top civilian bravery honour
Synopsis
Israeli President Isaac Herzog personally wrote to injured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, comparing his cockpit bravery to Indian troops who liberated the Holy Land over a century ago. Machchhar, who fought off a co-pilot armed with a crash axe aboard a Flydubai flight and saved 174 lives, will receive Israel's highest civilian bravery honour — a rare diplomatic moment amplifying India-Israel ties.
Key Takeaways
Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote a personal letter to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on Saturday, 10 October 2026 , praising his heroism.
Machchhar fought off co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami , who attacked him with a cockpit crash axe aboard a Dubai–Tel Aviv Flydubai flight in what UAE authorities called a 'terrorist attack' .
His actions helped save 174 people aboard the aircraft.
Herzog announced Machchhar will receive Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism — the country's highest civilian bravery recognition — upon recovery.
Herzog likened the pilot's heroics to those of Indian troops who liberated Holy Land cities over 100 years ago , calling it a symbol of India-Israel friendship.
Herzog invited Machchhar to Jerusalem to personally receive the award once he regains his strength.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday, 10 October 2026, wrote a personal letter to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, praising his extraordinary courage in fighting off a terrorist attack aboard a Flydubai aircraft and helping save 174 people onboard. Herzog called Machchhar 'a hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity' and announced he would be awarded Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism — the country's highest bravery recognition for civilians — once he recovers.
What Herzog Said in the Letter
In the letter, President Herzog drew a striking historical parallel, likening Captain Machchhar's bravery to that of Indian troops who, over a century ago, risked their lives to liberate cities in the Holy Land. 'Your heroics place you in the distinguished ranks of Indian troops, who risked their lives over 100 years ago to liberate cities in the Holy Land, forever becoming a part of Israel's history,' Herzog wrote.
He added: 'You too, Captain Machchhar, will henceforth be a treasured part of our people's history, further amplifying the warmth and connection between the Republic of India and the State of Israel.' The Israeli President also shared his prayers for Machchhar's 'full and speedy recovery' and said he looks forward to welcoming the pilot to Jerusalem once he regains his strength.
The Attack on the Flydubai Flight
According to a United Arab Emirates probe, co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami attacked Captain Machchhar with the cockpit's crash axe aboard the Dubai–Tel Aviv Flydubai flight. UAE authorities have described the incident as a 'terrorist attack'. Despite sustaining injuries, Machchhar reportedly fought back against his attacker, steered the aircraft to safety, and averted what officials described as a potential catastrophe for all 174 people on board.
Herzog, in acknowledging the pilot's response to the attack, wrote: 'Your ability to find the strength to rise above the pain, to combat the immediate threat to your life, and to operate sound judgment demonstrates the strength of your character and the great valour you possess.'
The Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism
President Herzog had first announced the award on Friday, during a ceremony honouring Israeli civilian heroes, where he singled out Captain Machchhar as a special recipient. 'Captain Machchhar's sheer courage and bravery and sound professionalism helped avert a catastrophe,' Herzog said at the time. 'Once he regains his strength, it will be my honour and privilege to award him, on behalf of the people of Israel, the State of Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.'
On Saturday, Herzog also shared news of the letter on his official X account, confirming Machchhar had received it over the weekend.
India-Israel Ties in Focus
The episode has drawn fresh attention to the deep historical and contemporary bonds between India and Israel. Herzog's invocation of the World War I-era Indian soldiers who fought in the Palestine campaign — a chapter often overlooked in mainstream histories — underscores how the Israeli presidency views Machchhar's act as continuous with that legacy. The gesture is expected to resonate strongly in diplomatic circles, coming at a time when India-Israel defence and security cooperation has been on an upward trajectory.
Captain Machchhar's anticipated visit to Jerusalem to receive the award will mark a rare and historic moment in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Point of View
Israel is consciously weaving Indian heroism into its founding narrative, a move with real soft-power weight. For India, the optics are considerable: a sitting head of state publicly calling an Indian citizen a 'hero of all humanity' is rare, and the forthcoming Jerusalem ceremony will amplify that. What this episode also throws into relief is the vulnerability of international civil aviation to in-cockpit threats, a security gap that regulators on both sides of the Dubai-Tel Aviv route will need to address with urgency. The human story of Machchhar's courage should not crowd out the systemic question: how did a co-pilot intent on a terrorist attack make it into that cockpit?
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar and what did he do?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who, aboard a Flydubai Dubai–Tel Aviv flight, fought off his co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami after the latter attacked him with the cockpit's crash axe in what UAE authorities have described as a terrorist attack. Despite his injuries, he steered the aircraft to safety, protecting all 174 people on board.
What award is Captain Machchhar set to receive from Israel?
Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Captain Machchhar will receive the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism — Israel's highest bravery recognition for civilians. Herzog said he will personally present the award in Jerusalem once the pilot recovers.
What did Israeli President Herzog say in his letter to Captain Machchhar?
Herzog praised Machchhar's courage in overcoming pain and exercising sound judgment under extreme threat, calling him 'a hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity.' He drew a parallel between Machchhar's actions and those of Indian troops who helped liberate Holy Land cities over a century ago, saying the pilot would 'henceforth be a treasured part of our people's history.'
What happened on the Flydubai flight that led to this recognition?
According to a UAE investigation, co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami attacked Captain Machchhar with the cockpit's crash axe on a Dubai–Tel Aviv Flydubai flight, in what UAE authorities classified as a terrorist attack. Machchhar fought back, regained control, and safely guided the aircraft, averting a potential disaster for 174 passengers and crew.
What is the significance of Herzog's India-Israel historical reference?
Herzog compared Machchhar's heroism to that of Indian troops who fought in the World War I Palestine campaign, liberating cities that are now part of modern Israel. By invoking this shared history, Herzog positioned Machchhar's act as part of a long legacy of Indian valor that has intersected with Israeli history, highlighting the depth of India-Israel ties.
