Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended a rare personal invitation to FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel's next Independence Day ceremony — an honour typically reserved exclusively for Israeli citizens. The invitation was conveyed during a telephone conversation between Netanyahu and the pilot on Sunday, 4 October, with the Israeli premier describing Captain Machchhar as a hero of India, Israel, and the entire world.

The Invitation and What It Means

Speaking directly to the pilot, Netanyahu said: 'Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you're a hero of the entire world.'

Netanyahu underscored the exceptional nature of the gesture, noting that the flame-lighting honour is ordinarily reserved for Israeli nationals. 'It's our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens. But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too,' he said.

Netanyahu's Words on the Mid-Air Incident

The Israeli Prime Minister was briefed by Captain Machchhar on how the attack unfolded inside the cockpit. Netanyahu said he was left stunned by the pilot's composure under extreme duress. 'I'm amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions,' he told the captain, adding that what Captain Machchhar did 'bordered on the miraculous.'

Netanyahu also framed the episode as having significance beyond the lives saved on board. 'You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world to realise that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil, however threatening, however violent. It's something that is being justly hailed around the world,' he said.

A Personal Message and Wishes for Recovery

Netanyahu wished Captain Machchhar a swift and full recovery, and extended personal regards to the pilot's family. 'Please also pass the best regards from me and my wife to your wife. I know you have a family and know that you're part of the family of nations. You're part of the family of nations and a heroic part. Please get well as soon as you can,' he said.

Reiterating the invitation toward the close of the call, Netanyahu said: 'So we hope to see you very soon in Israel. I look forward to seeing you here again. But under the circumstances, I think this will be a memorable and historic visit.'

Broader Significance for India-Israel Ties

The invitation to Prime Minister Modi alongside Captain Machchhar adds a diplomatic dimension to what began as a personal tribute. Notably, extending Israel's highest civilian Independence Day honour to a foreign national — and simultaneously inviting a sitting head of government — is without recent precedent. This comes amid already-warm India-Israel bilateral relations, with both nations having deepened defence, technology, and counter-terrorism cooperation in recent years. The episode is likely to further strengthen people-to-people goodwill between the two countries.

Whether Prime Minister Modi will accept the invitation formally remains to be seen, but the gesture is expected to draw a positive diplomatic response from New Delhi.