President Isaac Herzog confirmed on Thursday that five Israelis will receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for their role in neutralizing a hijacking attempt on a flydubai flight. The award, initially intended for four individuals, was expanded to include Tali Manes after her office clarified her critical role in alerting the cabin to the cockpit chaos. Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, stated that the group "prevented a terrible disaster" by putting themselves at risk to save others.
The incident unfolded when the co-pilot attacked the flight's captain, Smit Machchha, an Indian national. Passengers reported hearing a woman scream about a stabbing before rushing toward the cockpit. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber among the awardees, broke into the cockpit and pinned down the attacker. He returned to Israel on Wednesday, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally greeted him at Ben Gurion Airport, with Hayoun still wearing the blood-stained shirt from the struggle.
Herzog specifically praised Smit Machchha for managing to open the cockpit door, allowing the passengers and crew to intervene. Asaf Rajuan, another recipient, described the moment as "suspended in midair," relying on instinct to protect the families and children on board. The state’s recognition underscores the severity of the threat and the immediate, coordinated response by ordinary citizens in a high-stakes aviation emergency.
The Israeli government has not announced a specific date for the award ceremony, but the decision signals a broader diplomatic acknowledgment of the incident’s resolution. International aviation authorities continue to monitor the security protocols implicated in the cockpit breach, while the five civilians are expected to receive formal honors in the coming weeks.