Netanyahu Invites PM Modi, Hero Pilot Smit Machchhar to Israel's Independence Day

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently spoke with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, inviting him to participate in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations alongside Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, whom he described as heroic, News18 World reported.

In an Instagram post, Netanyahu stated that Modi thanked him for the invitation and highlighted the close counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations. Netanyahu’s post quoted, “I talked to my friend, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and invited him to hold a beacon along with the heroic Indian pilot of the country’s Independence Day Israel. Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on the ground and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terror together. He expressed his appreciation for the brave and long-standing relationship between us.” On X, Modi confirmed reviewing the sustained momentum in bilateral ties with Netanyahu and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership. They also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia, underscoring the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.

Smit Machchhar was seriously injured on September 30 after allegedly being attacked by his co-pilot, an Omani national, with a crash axe aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, reportedly transmitted emergency signals before making a rapid descent of more than 17,000 feet from an altitude of 34,000 feet. Machchhar, injured in the cockpit, reportedly realized the aircraft was descending and made what was described as “one last push” to open the cockpit door.

Netanyahu had previously spoken with Machchhar, praising him as a “true hero” and stating, “You are a hero for Israel, India and the entire world. I invite you to light a torch on Israel’s Independence Day.”

What to watch: Details of Israel's Independence Day celebrations.

Editor's note: The draft accurately reports the interaction between Netanyahu and Modi as well as the incident involving pilot Smit Machchhar based on the provided text.