President Isaac Herzog dispatched a special personal letter to Captain Sumeet Machhar, expressing the profound gratitude of the State of Israel for his extraordinary courage and determination, which prevented a catastrophic terror attack aboard a Flydubai passenger flight. In his letter, the President wished Captain Machhar a swift recovery and extended a personal invitation to visit Jerusalem once his rehabilitation is complete. The captain, currently hospitalized with serious injuries sustained during the violent struggle inside the cockpit, received the letter in his hospital room.
1+The President announced that Captain Machhar will be awarded the Presidential Medal for Civilian Bravery. Speaking earlier this week at the official award ceremony, President Herzog stated: “I wish to express deep appreciation and recognition for the Indian pilot, Captain Sumeet Machhar, who fought off the attacker despite suffering severe injuries, and managed with his remaining strength to unlock the cockpit door. From here, on behalf of us all, I send him heartfelt wishes for a complete and speedy recovery. As recommended by the committee, I intend to confer upon him the Presidential Medal for Civilian Bravery.”
In his letter, President Herzog commended Captain Machhar’s composure under extreme mortal peril: “Your ability to summon the strength to rise above the excruciating pain, confront an immediate threat to your life, and exercise sound judgment testifies to your profound strength of character and the immense nobility of spirit with which you are endowed.”
1+The President also linked Machhar’s heroism to the historic connection between the two nations, invoking the legacy of Indian soldiers who fought in the region: “Your act of heroism places you alongside the distinguished ranks of Indian soldiers who, more than a century ago, risked their lives to liberate cities in the Holy Land, becoming an indelible part of Israel’s history. You too, Captain Machhar, will forever remain a cherished part of our people’s history and an enduring link strengthening the bonds between the Republic of India and the State of Israel.”
Concluding the letter, President Herzog wrote: “As you take your first steps along the road to recovery, I know you are in the finest hands of our dear friends and partners in the United Arab Emirates. We all pray from the depths of our hearts for your full and speedy recovery, and I look forward, once you regain your strength, to welcoming you in Jerusalem to express the heartfelt appreciation and love of our grateful nation.” Captain Machhar sustained severe injuries during the critical mid-air struggle, during which he was partially blinded and brutally assaulted by the rogue co-pilot. Despite his wounds, he managed to unlatch the cockpit access door, allowing passengers to breach the cabin, subdue the attacker, and thwart a mass-casualty suicide plot.