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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken on phone to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar, who came into limelight after the incident in Flydubai flight.
Netanyahu praised Smit's bravery in the incident on September 30, calling him a hero of India, Israel and the entire world.
During the phone conversation, Netanyahu took information about the incident from Captain Smit. Israel's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has also posted a video of their conversation.
Smit told them what happened during the flight and how he tried to take control of the situation by opening the cockpit door.
Netanyahu told Smit, "Captain, I would like to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a special celebratory torch on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave people of India and Israel and a hero of the entire world. I wish you a speedy recovery."
What exactly happened in the flight?
During the phone call, Netanyahu asked Smit what exactly happened on the flight.
Describing the incident, Captain Smit said that it was a normal flight. According to him, the co-pilot had expressed his desire to pray and he did not find anything unusual in it.
Smit said, "But when he was praying, out of respect I was looking forward and not backward. Suddenly, maybe four or five minutes later, I felt a hard blow on the back of my head."
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He told that initially he thought that the plane had suffered some major damage. After this, injuries started happening continuously and he understood that the attack was not happening because of the plane, but because of the other person present in the cockpit.
Smit said, "I tried to stop him, but due to his initial injuries I could hardly see anything. My vision was completely blurred. At that time the next thought in my mind was that the plane was going down rapidly. So my memory is still in fragments."
'I thought I would die if I didn't do it'
Captain Smit said that he tried to open the cockpit door, but it was closed again. After this he lay down on the floor of the cockpit. He told that at that time he could hear the sound of the plane, the wind blowing rapidly and the passengers screaming.
Smit said, "I had the strength left to make one last effort. Call it a personal fight or a fight for the people, but I thought that if I didn't do it, I would die. That's when I used all my strength and went towards the door and opened it."
He added, "Thankfully, people were there waiting. They took control and the rest is what you know."
Netanyahu asked Smit how he opened the cockpit door.
In response to this, Smit said that to open the door from inside, its knob has to be turned, whereas from outside it can be opened through a code.
He said, "My colleagues from outside were trying to open the door with the code, but the man (co-pilot) was not allowing the door to open. The only way to open the door was to reach there and turn the knob. To open the door, it has to be turned a little fast. The real thing was to reach there. When my hand reached that knob, I turned it and opened the door."
Netanyahu invited to visit Israel
After listening to Captain Smit, Netanyahu praised his bravery. He said that Smit not only saved the lives of many people but also showed courage in difficult situations.
Netanyahu said, "You saved many lives. I think you saved something even greater. You saved the world's sense that brave pilots and brave passengers can face and defeat any dangerous and violent evil."
He further said, "It is being praised all over the world. You are the hero of Israel. You are the hero of India. You are the hero of the whole world. I can tell you that people here will welcome you with open hearts."
During the conversation, Captain Smit also mentioned a dentist present in the flight. He said that he wanted to meet him because he played an important role in saving his life.
Also invited Captain Smit and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel. He said that both of them would be invited to light the torch in a special ceremony on the occasion of Israel's Independence Day.
Netanyahu reiterated, "I would like Captain Smit and Prime Minister Modi, our great friends, to light the torch on this special occasion. This is the greatest honor given on our Independence Day. Usually this is reserved for the citizens of Israel. But in this case I think all citizens of Israel will welcome you."
"We hope to see you in Israel very soon," he said.
PM Modi also spoke on phone
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also talked to Captain Smit Machhar over phone.
PM Modi said that the entire country is proud of the step taken by Captain Smit to save the lives of the passengers despite being seriously injured.
He said that people across the country are praying for his speedy recovery and long life. The PM described his courage as a symbol of the spirit of India in which saving people's lives is the highest priority.
During the conversation, Captain Smit told about the incident that he himself was injured in the fall, but he felt that the situation inside the plane was worsening. In a last ditch effort, he opened the cockpit door so that other people could enter.
Smit told that during the pain he kept reciting Hanuman Chalisa continuously.
PM Modi also thanked the governments of Saudi Arabia and UAE for the treatment and care of Captain Smit. He said that he is always a phone call away for Captain Smit if needed.
Crown Prince of UAE met Smit
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), met Captain Smit Machhar in the hospital on Saturday and praised his bravery.
In fact, according to the Indian Embassy, Smit, who was injured while thwarting the alleged attack by the co-pilot while flying the plane, was admitted to Saudi Arabia. Then he was transferred to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE for better treatment.
The Crown Prince of UAE has shared pictures of his meeting on social media platform X. It has also been said that the Captain presented the supreme example of courage, responsibility and commitment towards human life.
He said, "He gets full respect and admiration from me and the leadership of the country."
Sheikh Hamdan added, “We are proud that he is part of our team, part of our country's story and represents the values for which the UAE is known.”
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