Israel Seeks to Honor Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Heroism
Former Israeli Deputy FM Sharren Haskel calls for Captain Smit Machchhar to receive the Medal of Honour for his heroism during the Flydubai cockpit attack.
In a profound gesture of admiration, former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel has called for Indian Captain Smit Machchhar to be awarded Israel's Medal of Honour. This request follows the pilot's extraordinary bravery during a mid-air crisis involving a Flydubai flight, where a co-pilot allegedly attempted a cockpit attack.
Speaking to ANI, Haskel emphasized that Machchhar's actions were nothing short of heroic, as he risked his own life to protect more than 170 passengers from what appeared to be an attempted crash.
A Call for National Recognition
Haskel did not mince words regarding the scale of Machchhar's courage. She suggested that the Indian pilot should be formally invited to Israel to receive the prestigious award directly from the Israeli President and the government.
"His courage and determination have saved so many lives. He needs to be invited to Israel to receive a Medal of Honour here from our president, from our government. These are incredible deeds while he was risking his own life, keeping himself alive, so that he could actually open the door," Haskel stated.
The former minister noted that the pilot's ability to maintain composure and act decisively during the emergency was a testament to his character.
Shared Values and Spiritual Strength
The conversation also touched upon a deeply personal aspect of the incident. Haskel reflected on Machchhar's recent telephone interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting how the pilot's reliance on prayer during the crisis resonated with the Israeli experience.
Haskel shared that hearing about the "Indian prayer" Machchhar offered during his most difficult moment moved her deeply. She drew a parallel between the Indian and Jewish traditions of seeking strength from God during times of extreme adversity and trauma. This shared spiritual mentality, she noted, highlights the profound similarities between the two nations.
Strengthening Bilateral Security Ties
Beyond the individual act of heroism, Haskel used the platform to advocate for a significant expansion of security cooperation between New Delhi and Jerusalem. She stressed the need for increased intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism collaboration, and enhanced defence partnerships.
She argued that both India and Israel are democratic nations facing an "existential struggle" against extremist entities. According to Haskel, the world is witnessing a conflict between forces that fight for life and prosperity and those driven by religious ideologies of destruction and conquest.
Strategic Shift in Defence Manufacturing
Haskel also suggested a strategic shift in how Israel manages its security industry. In light of recent sanctions imposed by some Western nations, she proposed that Israel should look toward steadfast allies like India for long-term investments and manufacturing.
She advocated for moving defence industry production and investment toward reliable partners, suggesting that deepening ties in military equipment and intelligence could provide much-needed stability in an evolving global security landscape.