Netanyahu Reveals the Identity of the “Real Hero” on the Flydubai Flight

Al-Taj News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Wednesday the identity of the pilot who was stabbed aboard a Flydubai flight, explaining that he is from India and is named Smit Matchhar.

Netanyahu praised the aircraft captain and said he was “the real hero,” noting that he displayed “exceptional courage” and saved the lives of 174 people.”

He wrote on the X platform: “Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back and opened the cockpit door, enabling the passengers and flight crew to overpower the attacker, thereby preventing a horrific aviation disaster.”

The General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates announced in a statement Wednesday that Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, experienced a security incident that was brought under control, requiring the aircraft to divert its course and make an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”