‘Israeli’ president sends letter to Flydubai pilot, invites him to ‘Israel’

• ‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog has invited Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to Jerusalem after his recovery.
• Herzog said he would present the Indian pilot with ‘Israel’s highest recognition for civilian heroism.
• In a letter dated Oct. 4, Herzog linked Machchhar’s actions to the historical role of Indian troops in the Holy Land.

‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog has written to injured Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, inviting him to Jerusalem once he recovers and offering to present him with ‘Israel’s’ highest recognition for civilian heroism. 

Herzog posted about the letter on X, saying the pilot received it ‘over the weekend.’

In a message published Saturday, Herzog called Machchhar “a hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity,” following an incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

“On behalf of the people of Israel, I would be honored to present you with Israel’s highest recognition of civilian heroism, the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism,” Herzog said.

The invitation follows a letter dated Oct. 4 in which Herzog praised the captain for bringing the aircraft to safety, describing his actions as an example of courage under extreme pressure.

“Your ability to find the strength to rise above the pain, to combat the immediate threat to your life, and to operate sound judgment demonstrates the strength of your character and the great valor you possess,” Herzog wrote.

Herzog also placed Machchhar's actions within a broader historical narrative, drawing parallels with Indian troops who fought in the Holy Land more than a century ago. He said the pilot would become part of Israel's history and that his actions would further strengthen ties between ‘India’ and ‘Israel’.

The ‘Israeli’ president added that Machchhar was receiving care in the United Arab Emirates and expressed hopes for his full recovery, saying he looked forward to welcoming him to Jerusalem.

The recognition comes as authorities have described an alleged attack inside the aircraft's cockpit. 

Captain Smit Machchhar, you are a hero of Israel, India, and all of humanity! In my letter to you which you received over the weekend, I shared our prayers for your full and speedy recovery. As I wrote in my letter, I look forward to welcoming you to Jerusalem once you regain your strength. On behalf of the people of Israel, I would be honored to present you with Israel’s highest recognition of civilian heroism, the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 10, 2026