President Herzog to recommend civilian heroism award for four Israelis who helped avert flydubai disaster
President Isaac Herzog said he will recommend four Israelis who helped avert disaster aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan acted after one of the pilots stabbed the other and the aircraft began to plummet. Indian pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar fought the attacker and opened the cockpit door, while Tali Manes raised the alarm.
Hayoun, Manes and Rajuan then entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker, with Hayoun steadying the aircraft’s controls. Musayev provided lifesaving treatment to the seriously wounded pilot until the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
“You put yourselves at risk to save others and prevented a terrible disaster,” Herzog told them. “Today, the whole world saw the beautiful and courageous face of Israeli society.”
Herzog said he intends to present their actions to the advisory committee for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism and recommend that all four receive the award. He also thanked Machchhar for his actions, saying his determination helped subdue the attacker and save lives.
