Indian pilot Smit Machchar, currently recovering from injuries sustained during a mid-air attack on a flydubai flight, has received a heartfelt invitation from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog to visit Jerusalem. The incident, which occurred on September 30, involved the captain being assaulted by his co-pilot with an emergency axe. Thanks to Machchar’s quick thinking and bravery, he managed to neutralize the threat, allowing the flight to be diverted safely to Saudi Arabia, ensuring the lives of all passengers were spared.

In a letter shared on social media, President Herzog lauded the captain's extraordinary courage and composure under pressure, expressing the gratitude of the Israeli people for his heroic actions. Beyond the president's invitation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reached out, inviting the pilot to be a guest of honor at Israel’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations. As Machchar continues his medical treatment in the UAE, he has become a symbol of international heroism, with officials from across Israel expressing their deep appreciation and prayers for his swift and full recovery.