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 Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30, 2026. Netanyahu said Machchhar, stabbed and seriously injured, opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and save 174 people.