Smit Machchhar Named for Israel’s Highest Civilian Bravery Award
President Isaac Herzog on Thursday announced Israel’s highest civilian bravery award for him.
By Sakshi
New Delhi, October 9: Days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Indian captain Smit Machchhar for bravely fighting off an attack by his co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight, President Isaac Herzog on Thursday announced Israel’s highest civilian bravery award for him. During the incident, which occurred on September 30, Machchhar helped save 172 passengers and crew members aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
"Alongside the Israeli heroes whom we honour today, we send our heartfelt wishes for the full and speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar of India," Herzog said during a ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Machchhar’s "sheer courage and bravery and sound professionalism helped avert this catastrophe. Once he regains his health, it will be my honour and privilege to present him with the State of Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism on behalf of the Israeli people," Herzog said.
Creation of the Bravery Award
Israel’s highest civilian honour for bravery is the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. According to the President’s Office, Herzog established the award following the October 7, 2023, attack, when Hamas launched a coordinated surprise assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in significant civilian casualties and the taking of hostages.
The award recognises civilians, media personnel and others who risked their lives to rescue people caught up in the attack.
Six Other People Who Received the Awards
Alongside Machchhar, six Israeli passengers — Tali Manes, Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan and Or Pardilov — were honoured for their roles in preventing the would-be hijacker from crashing the plane. All six received their decorations at a ceremony on October 8, the President’s Office said.
Herzog praised the heroes of Flight 1073 for their “simple, human, and profoundly Israeli act: At the moment when a choice had to be made – you chose life. For all of this, I award you today the President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery,” The Jerusalem Post reported.
The Indian captain was stabbed by his co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, in what was described as a possible attempt to crash the plane.
Third Anniversary of the Attack on Israel
Herzog said, "There is a profound lesson we must draw from this remarkable story: just as people from different nations joined forces to save that aircraft, so too must the international community stand united against the global threat of terror."
"Yesterday we marked the third anniversary of the single most barbaric, murderous attack on the State of Israel and its citizens. October 7, 2023, scarred the Israeli people irrevocably, and the trauma will be palpable for generations. We have learned, through painful sacrifice, what it means to face an existential threat."
"And we have learned that confronting it requires foresight, determination, and, above all, international cooperation in fighting terror. I have absolute confidence in the thorough investigation conducted by our dear friends in the United Arab Emirates, whom we greatly respect."
(Inputs from PTI)
