Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday (local time) invited flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel’s next Independence Day celebrations. He said he wants both of them to light a special celebratory flame, an honour usually given to Israeli citizens.

Netanyahu's Special Invite To Machchhar, PM Modi

Speaking to Indian pilot Captain Machchhar over the phone, Netanyahu praised him for his bravery during the mid-air attack. He asserted that the people of Israel would welcome him. The Israeli Prime Minister also described the visit as something that could become a memorable and historic occasion. Notably, Israel celebrates its Independence Day or Yom Ha'atzmaut on the 5th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which usually falls in April or May.

ALSO READ: 'One Last Fight Was Left In Me': Smit Machchhar Reveals Key Cockpit Details Of Flydubai Incident

“I want to have Captain Smit and Prime Minister Modi that are great friends; I really would like them to bear a celebratory flame. It's the highest honor 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. So we hope to see you very soon in Israel... I look forward to seeing you here again, but under the circumstances, I think this will be a memorable and historic visit,” Netanyahu said during the phone call.

Israeli PM Calls Indian Pilot A 'Hero'

Netanyahu also called Captain Machchhar a hero of India, Israel and the world. He wished him a quick and full recovery and invited him and PM Modi to take part in the Independence Day ceremony. “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 are a hero of the entire world. I wish you a very speedy and complete recovery,” Netnayahu said.

Captain Machchhar Recalls Attack Inside Cockpit

During the conversation, Captain Machchhar also described what happened inside the cockpit before he managed to stop the attack. The flight had been operating normally when his co-pilot asked to pray, which Machchhar said was a routine practice among local crew members. He continued to focus on flying the aircraft.

Four to five minutes later, he was hit hard on the back of his head. At first, he thought there could have been a serious problem with the aircraft. But he realised that he was physically attacked inside the cockpit. The attack left him badly disoriented and affected his vision. Soon after, the aircraft began descending steeply and Machchhar realised that opening the cockpit door was the only way to prevent a bigger disaster.

“As I was telling the ambassador here, I had that one last fight left in me that, you know, call it personal or call it for people, but let’s say I did it, that if I don’t do it, I’m gonna die. And that’s when I pushed against everything I gave, everything that I had, and just went for the door and opened the door,” Machchhar said.

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