Netanyahu Invites Indian Copilot Sumeet Matchar to Visit Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Indian copilot Sumeet Matchar to visit Israel as a guest of honor following an aborted mid-air attack on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu Extends State Invitation Following Cockpit Assault
Netanyahu proposed that Matchar join Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to jointly ignite a beacon at Israel’s alleged national day ceremony next May, according to footage released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. During a phone call with the hospitalized pilot, Netanyahu hailed him as a hero for India, Israel, and the world.
The Independent reported that U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the pilot’s actions. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar credited Matchar’s extraordinary courage with saving hundreds of lives and averting a major tragedy.
Flight FZ1073 Plunged 17,000 Feet During Cockpit Assault
Flight FZ1073 experienced a sharp loss of altitude during the incident. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 data indicated the aircraft plunged 17,000 feet within a single minute before control was restored.
Speaking to Modi in a video shared by the Indian prime minister, Matchar recounted sustaining multiple physical injuries during the assault that caused him to collapse. Despite the violence, Matchar said he managed to unlock the cockpit door as the aircraft descended.
“I had suffered a number of injuries that caused me to collapse. Then, I felt the plane dropping. I knew this was the last attempt, and that the door was close to me… I was still being beaten, but I opened the door, and everyone came in,” Matchar stated.
Several passengers and crew members then rushed forward to physically restrain the attacker on the cabin floor, according to accounts reported by The Independent.
International Investigations into the Suspect
Two sources told Reuters that the co-pilot in UAE custody is an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami, though UAE authorities and flydubai have not publicly disclosed his identity.
Law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies across multiple jurisdictions have opened inquiries into the suspect’s background. New Zealand police confirmed that al-Hammami spent time in the country between November 2018 and May 2019 on a student visa to complete flight training for a UK-based company. The Australian Federal Police also stated that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team is investigating the man's links to Australia.
Israeli officials stated that the suspect acted alone and underwent Islamist radical indoctrination. Netanyahu instructed the National Security Council to appoint an examiner to conduct a comprehensive review of foreign civil aviation security protocols regarding Israel.