Herzog To Recommend 4 Israeli Heroes for Medal; Netanyahu Says Indian Pilot Prevented ‘September 11’ Disaster
By The Media Line Staff
Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced he will recommend four Israelis for the President’s Medal for Civilian Courage after they helped stop an Omani co-pilot from crashing a Flydubai flight carrying over 170 people, mainly Israelis, on September 30.
The four are Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Mosiyev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan. Tali Manes first raised the alarm about an unusual incident, according to the President’s Office.
“During the incident, the Israelis acted quickly and decisively. Tali Manes alerted about an unusual incident, and then Hayon, Zvika Manes and Rajuan rushed to help, entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker, while risking their own lives. After neutralizing him, Dr. Mosiyev provided life-saving medical treatment to the pilot who was seriously injured. Their swift action prevented a major disaster.’
The Omani co-pilot stabbed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, seriously injuring him, before directing the aircraft into a steep descent in an apparent attempt to crash it.
Despite losing copious amounts of blood, Machchhar opened the cockpit, allowing the Israelis inside. Hayon steadied the aircraft and reversed its descent before standby pilots who were aboard for training landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN that Israel had received no prior warning or intelligence indication of the attempted attack. Israel and the United Arab Emirates will conduct a joint investigation into the circumstances.
“We will know very soon if Iran had a connection to this,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu praised the Israelis and Machchhar, saying the pilot “managed to prevent a disaster on the scale of September 11.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar.
“Captain Machchhar is a hero. In the face of immense danger, and despite being seriously injured, he demonstrated tremendous courage and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others. His bravery helped save hundreds of lives and prevent a major disaster. India is proud of Captain Matchachar. Praying for his speedy recovery.”
AUDIO: Correspondent Laura Winters.
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