Netanyahu told the Flydubai pilot that he considers him "a hero of the world" and invited him to Israeli Independence Day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in upcoming Israeli Independence Day ceremonies. The invitation follows an incident last Wednesday in which the Flydubai flight piloted by Machchhar was targeted during a journey to Tel Aviv. Netanyahu publicly praised the pilot, referring to him as a global hero for his actions during the event.

As part of the proposed ceremony, the Prime Minister requested that both Machchhar and Modi light a ceremonial flame or candle to mark the occasion. The gesture serves as a diplomatic acknowledgement of the pilot's conduct during the mid-flight security incident.