New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Smit Machchhar to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in lighting a ceremonial torch during Israel’s Independence Day celebrations. The invitation recognises Machchhar’s courageous efforts to protect 174 passengers during an alleged hijack attempt aboard a Flydubai flight.
Netanyahu announced the invitation in a post on X on Thursday. He said he had spoken with Modi and invited the Indian pilot to participate in the ceremony alongside the Indian Prime Minister. Modi thanked Netanyahu for the invitation, the Israeli leader said.
Netanyahu also referred to Modi’s statement that India and Israel were fighting terrorism together, on land and in the air. The remarks were shared in posts in Hindi and Hebrew.
Pilot Injured While Protecting 174 Passengers
The incident occurred on September 30 aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers on board. Machchhar, the co-pilot, was injured while attempting to intervene after the other co-pilot allegedly tried to hijack the aircraft.
Machchhar sustained serious injuries during an attack inside the cockpit. After he managed to open the cockpit door, passengers and other crew members joined efforts to overpower the co-pilot. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
All passengers reached Israel safely later that day.
Machchhar is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Modi and Netanyahu had previously praised his actions during the incident.
Israeli President Also Invites Machchhar for Civilian Courage Award
Earlier this month, Israeli President Isaac Herzog had also invited Machchhar to Israel to receive the President’s Award for Civilian Courage. Netanyahu’s invitation adds to the recognition being extended to the Indian pilot for his role in the incident.
Modi and Netanyahu Discuss West Asian Developments
The announcement regarding Machchhar came on the same day that Modi and Netanyahu discussed developments in West Asia. The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the special strategic partnership between India and Israel.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the leaders discussed the urgent need to restore peace and stability in West Asia. Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for resolving conflicts.
Modi visited Israel on February 25 and 26. During the visit, the two countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity”. India and Israel had originally established a strategic partnership during Modi’s first visit to Israel in July 2017.
During his February visit, Modi also stated that peace and stability in the Middle East were linked to India’s security interests and reaffirmed India’s full support for the Gaza peace initiative.
