Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO
The Israeli people welcome you with so much love and so much gratitude!
Thank you for all you have done to bring our hostages home! Thank you for your commitment to building a better future of peace in our region! God bless Israel! God bless America!
President Isaac Herzog sent a letter to Captain Smit Machchhar expressing the deep gratitude of the State of Israel for his exceptional courage and determination in steering the flydubai aircraft to safety and averting catastrophe for the passengers on board the flight on September 30, 2026. In his letter, President Herzog wished Captain Machchhar a full and speedy recovery and invited him to visit Jerusalem once he has regained his strength. Captain Machchhar received the President's letter while recoring in hospital.
08.10.2026
On October 8, 2026, President Isaac Herzog presented the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to six individuals who were on board the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. The ceremony took place at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
08.10.2026
On October 7, 2026, President Isaac Herzog attended and addressed the memorial ceremony held at the site of the Nova Festival in Reim, where hundreds of festival-goers were murdered and abducted during the October 7th terror attack three years ago.
07.10.2026
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