Netanyahu praises Indian pilot for saving 174 on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for 'extraordinary bravery' aboard Dubai-to-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight FZ1073 on Sept. 30, 2026. Netanyahu said Machchhar, stabbed and seriously injured, opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and saving 174 people.