President Isaac Herzog will recommend four Israelis who helped prevent disaster aboard Wednesday's flydubai
By Sammy Tisser,
President Isaac Herzog will recommend four Israelis who helped prevent disaster aboard Wednesday's flydubai flight for Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, his office announced Thursday.
Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan are being recognized for their actions after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and the aircraft began rapidly losing altitude. According to the President's Office, Captain Smit Machchhar fought the attacker and opened the cockpit, allowing several passengers to rush in and overpower him. Hayoun helped steady the aircraft, while Musayev treated the seriously wounded pilot until the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Herzog told the four that they had "put yourselves at risk to save others and prevented a terrible disaster," adding that their actions showed "the beautiful and courageous face of Israeli society." He also praised Captain Machchhar, saying his actions helped save many lives.
Musayev stressed that the rescue was a collective effort, saying, "We were all heroes," while Rajuan said those involved acted largely on instinct "to survive, to save the family, the people, and the children."
The Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism is Israel's highest civilian recognition for acts of heroism involving serious personal risk to save others.
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.