Jerusalem. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Thursday he would present "heroism" awards to five Israelis who helped overpower a flydubai co-pilot and prevented him from crashing the plane they were on.

"You put yourselves at risk to save others and prevented a terrible disaster. Today, the whole world saw the beautiful and courageous face of Israeli society," Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial role, said in a statement.

"I am proud of you, and I thank you on behalf of the State of Israel."

He also hailed the plane's Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar, who Israeli officials say managed to open the cockpit door to let passengers and crew save the plane after being stabbed by the co-pilot.

Herzog's office initially announced four award winners but later announced a fifth, Tali Manes, whose husband was among the originally named recipients.

Manes, his office said, heard the commotion in the cockpit and was the first to alert passengers and call for help.

Among the other Israelis to receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism is Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber who says he beat and pinned down the co-pilot after breaking into the cockpit.

Yanoun, wearing a still-bloody shirt, was personally welcomed on his return to Israel Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The passengers said they rushed to the cockpit after a woman screamed and said there was a stabbing.

"It was an extraordinary incident," Asaf Rajuan, who helped pin down the attacker and will also receive the award, told Herzog, according to the president's office.

"We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn't know who to turn to. But it was all instinct: to survive, to save the family, the people, and the children."

Pilot Hailed as Hero in India
Pilot Machchhar was hailed as a "hero" on Thursday after fighting to retain control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him, leaving him wounded but helping avert disaster.

But for friends and neighbours in the Mumbai suburb where his parents live, the courage came as little surprise.

They describe Machchhar, who is in his 30s and holds more than a decade of flying experience, as a soft-spoken, helpful and "always smiling" man who has remained calm under pressure since childhood.

"We did not expect any less from him -- it did not come as a surprise," said Akshay Doshi, who has known Machchhar for around 15 years and lives next door to his parents in their apartment block.

"We are proud of him for his nature, for his bravery," another neighbour, Laxmikant Joshi, told AFP.

"He saved lives when he was in danger. And in the air when he was controlling the plane and suffering injuries!"

Machchhar has said the weight of responsibility for passengers' safety weighed heavily on his mind early in his flying career.

That composure was tested Wednesday when Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot aboard the flydubai flight, sparking a struggle for control of the aircraft, according to passengers and officials.

The airline said all passengers were safe. Media reports said 166 of the 174 passengers were Israeli citizens.

Authorities have not yet provided details on the type of wounds Machchhar received but have confirmed he is receiving hospital treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his actions helped save hundreds of lives and avert "a great tragedy".

"Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO," Modi said in a post on social media.

"In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others."

Speaking in New Delhi, Modi said he had called Machchhar's wife, mother and father.

"This valour by Smit fills us with pride.... He is currently undergoing treatment," he said.

"Today, the entire world is proud of him. I urge my fellow citizens to pray for Smit's long life and excellent health, and to salute Smit, who has brought glory to India."

Machchhar's path to the cockpit was not straightforward.

While studying management to help his family's textile business, he attended an aviation seminar and caught what he later called the "aviation bug".

His first commercial flight was "scary", he recalled in a podcast in 2025, because of the responsibility that came with carrying passengers' lives.

But he said he learned to manage the pressure.

"Stressing is not going to help at least in this industry," he said.

Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft and has flown for Dubai-based flydubai since 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He previously worked for Indian carrier SpiceJet. "You are a hero to us all, Captain," the company said.

Machchhar is recovering in Saudi Arabia, according to the Mumbai Mirror, which reported that his parents had flown to the Gulf kingdom to be at his side.

President Droupadi Murmu said the nation was proud of Machchhar, saluting his "heroic courage and incredible presence of mind" and saying his actions helped prevent a major tragedy.

"I salute his indomitable spirit," she said. "I pray for his speedy recovery and good health."
 

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