Israeli President Isaac Herzog has nominated five Israelis who helped prevent a disaster aboard a flight from Dubai to Israel for the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism.
“These five acted quickly and decisively after the Omani co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a knife, apparently intending to bring down the aircraft with around 190 people on board. Tali Manesh alerted the passengers that something was wrong. Hayun, Tzvika Manesh and Rajwan then rushed to his aid, entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker,” Herzog said.
Among those nominated, Hayun stabilized the aircraft’s controls, while Muszajev provided life-saving medical treatment to the seriously injured pilot and continued to care for him until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The swift intervention of the passengers and crew prevented a major disaster.
Herzog spoke with the five, expressed his deep appreciation for their conduct in the extraordinary emergency and informed them that he would recommend to the advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism that the award be granted to them.
“On behalf of Israel, I also express my gratitude and deep appreciation to the Indian pilot, Captain Smith Machar, whose determination and actions made it possible to subdue the attacker and save the lives of many people,” Herzog added.
Herzog established the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism during the Gaza war to honour people who display extraordinary bravery, risk their own lives and act out of a sense of mutual responsibility to save human lives.
It is Israel’s highest civilian award for acts of heroism.
