Netanyahu invites ‘true hero’ Captain Smit, Modi to light Independence Day flame
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to light a celebratory flame at the next Independence Day ceremony of Israel, media reported
Media reports stated that he even called the Indian pilot, who foiled a mid-air attack as a hero of India, Israel and the entire world, during a telephonic conversation with him.
Netanyahu said “Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you’re a hero of the entire world,”.
“I wish you a very speedy and complete recovery,” he added.
Netanyahu stated that the honor was usually reserved for his country’s own citizens.
“It’s our highest honour that we give on our Independence Day. It’s usually reserved for Israeli citizens. But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too,” he said.
Netanyahu said he was amazed by his conduct after hearing from the pilot how the attack unfolded in the cockpit.
“I’m amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditions,” the Israeli Prime Minister said and added that what the Captain did was remarkable and that it bordered on the miraculous.
He asserted that the pilot saved more than the lives of those on board.
“You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world to realize that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil, however threatening, however violent. It’s something that is being justly hailed around the world,” Netanyahu said.
“You’re a hero of Israel. You’re a hero of India. You’re a hero of the entire world,” he added.
He sent his family’s wishes to the pilot’s family.
“Please also pass the best regards from me and my wife to your wife. I know you have a family and know that you’re part of the family of nations. You’re part of the family of nations and a heroic part. Please get well as soon as you can,” he concluded.
