Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Israel after speaking with the injured pilot about the attack that took place inside the cockpit of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
A few minutes later, he was suddenly struck. The incident happened on flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Investigators are looking into what led to the attack.
Because of what happened during the flight, netanyahu specifically noted that the honour is normally associated with Israeli citizens, but said he wanted Machchhar to take part.
Then he said, “I invite captain Smit and Prime Minister Modi that are great friends, I would like them to bear a celebratory flame. It’s our highest honor that we give on our Independence day” Machchhar told Netanyahu that the incident started while the co-pilot was praying. He said the co-pilot had asked for time to pray, and he did not consider the request unusual. Out of respect, Machchhar said he kept looking towards the front of the aircraft instead of watching the co-pilot behind him. Machchhar said he then understood that he was under attack and needed to get the cockpit door open. UAE authorities have said the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with an axe and described the incident as a terrorist act.
During an emotional conversation on Saturday, Netanyahu praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident and said he wanted the Indian pilot and Modi to light a flame during Israel’s Independence Day ceremony next year.
