The heroes you celebrate say a lot about who you are. After the October 7 attacks, we all saw those who came out onto college campuses and public squares to celebrate Palestinian rapists, murderers, and terrorists.
Today, Israelis are celebrating their heroes: Yaniv Hayoun, the plumber who tackled the rogue pilot and stabilized the nosediving plane; Tzvika Manes, the banker who stormed the cockpit along with Yaniv; and Dr. Shota Musaev, the dentist who saved the wounded Indian co-pilot’s life. All of them ordinary Israelis, who displayed extraordinary courage when it mattered most.
Indians, too, have found a new hero in Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the fateful Flight FZ1073. His face is now on billboards, and people are flocking to temples to pray for his recovery. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been praising him in public speeches, and on Friday, he called the recovering pilot directly in his hospital bed.
“See, the whole country is praying for you,” Prime Minister Modi told Machchhar, whose head was wrapped in bandages and who still required a breathing tube.
Modi told him that temples and pilgrimage sites across India were holding special prayers for his recovery.
An unforgettable conversation with Captain Smit, filled with pride and emotions. pic.twitter.com/CCf46PKOWR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2026
Machchar teared up and apologized, admitting that the Indian prime minister was his “biggest idol.” Machchar talked of reciting Hindu scriptures daily and passing on these traditions to his children, even while living away from home.
While Saudi Arabia and the UAE remained tight-lipped about a terrorist motive, Modi also seemed to avoid the topic. He said he wanted to hear his firsthand account later, rather than discuss it over an insecure phone line.
Taking an indirect swipe at radical Islam, Modi said, “We Indians do not take lives; instead, we are willing to risk our own lives to save others.”
Since both men hail from Gujarat, Modi wrapped up the call by exchanging pleasantries in the Gujarati language. “Whenever you need anything, I’m just a phone call away,” Modi assured the recovering pilot.
He ended the call in English, saying, “God bless you.”
India has a new hero, and Israel will never forget his name: Captain Smit Machchhar!
Thank you, Captain Smit! Recover quickly. Israel is waiting to welcome you. pic.twitter.com/jfrDrIhscf— Yaniv Revach (@yanivrev) October 2, 2026
(Video call in Hindi, Gujarati transcribed by the author)
Prime Minister Netanyahu: “Whoever sent this pilot will pay a very heavy price”
Although the Omani pilot has been held by Saudi and UAE authorities for more than two days, Arab officials remain tight-lipped about his motives and connections. eanwhile, President Trump hinted at possible Iranian involvement and vowed to hit the regime “very hard” if they had a hand in it.
In a short video on X, Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged on Friday that “Whoever sent this pilot will pay a very heavy price.”
#BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu on FlyDubai probe says,
“As time passes, the picture becomes clearer: the perpetrator underwent Islamist radicalization. He came to smash the plane with its passengers on board. We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever… pic.twitter.com/yqqkK39C9v
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 2, 2026
A Trump-signed MAGA hat for “Yaniv the Plumber”
The Israeli hero, Yaniv Hayoun, is also receiving much-deserved recognition. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee met with the country’s most famous plumber to present him with a MAGA hat signed by President Trump.
Israeli plumber who heroically subdued terrorist & grabbed the controls of plane came to @usembassyjlm & I gave him my autographed hat from @POTUS . Yaniv & Meital Hayoun inspired the world. He loves @realDonaldTrump & I’ll post his message to @POTUS later. What a story! pic.twitter.com/idue8RUBme
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 2, 2026
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