Full Breakdown
Netanyahu Invites Modi and Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar to Light Torch on Israel’s Independence Day
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Invitation to Torch-Lighting Ceremony
On October 22, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was welcome to join Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in lighting the ceremonial torch for Israel’s Independence Day. The invitation was conveyed during a phone conversation and posted by Netanyahu on X.
Background & Context
The invitation follows the September 30 incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar, a Gujarat-born pilot, was seriously injured when his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe. Despite his injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to subdue the attacker and bring the aircraft down safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight carried 174 passengers and six crew members and descended more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet.
India and Israel have cultivated a “strong and decades-old” partnership across defence, counter-terrorism, agriculture, water management, technology and innovation.
Timeline
- September 30, 2026 – Alleged cockpit attack on flight FZ1073; Machchhar prevents a disaster.
- October 22, 2026 – Netanyahu invites Modi and Machchhar to the torch-lighting ceremony; both leaders discuss recent West-Asian developments and reaffirm bilateral ties.
- May 14 (annual) – Israel observes Yom Ha’atzmaut, the national day marking the 1948 Declaration of Independence, traditionally celebrated with a torch-lighting ceremony.
Data & Statistics
- Flight FZ1073: 174 passengers, six crew, emergency descent of > 17,000 feet.
- Independence Day: commemorated each May 14 since 1948.
Official Statements & Responses
Netanyahu’s post emphasized the personal nature of the invitation, describing Modi as a “friend” and highlighting joint counter-terrorism efforts. Modi’s response on X noted the “sustained momentum in bilateral ties” and reiterated commitment to “strengthening the partnership.” President Isaac Herzog later invited Machchhar to receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, a distinction rarely granted to non-Israeli nationals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I spoke with my friend, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside the brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day,” — Benjamin Netanyahu.
- “We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,” — Narendra Modi.
Why It Matters
The joint torch-lighting invitation acknowledges India’s role in averting a mid-air disaster and highlights the depth of India-Israel security cooperation. By honoring a non-Israeli pilot alongside the Indian head of government, Israel signals a willingness to publicly celebrate international partners in its national narrative, reinforcing diplomatic momentum amid ongoing regional tensions.
*All factual details are drawn from contemporaneous reports of the October 22, 2026 conversation and the September 30, 2026 flight incident.*