President Isaac Herzog informed the four Israelis who subdued the attacker on the Flydubai flight that he will recommend they receive the Presidential Medal of Civilian Valor. The president spoke with Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Mussayev, Zvika Mena, and Asaf Raguan, telling Hayon 'applause, you deserve it,' and described their intervention as preventing a major disaster, according to N12.
President Isaac Herzog today told the four Israeli passengers who subdued the attacker aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 that he will recommend they receive the Presidential Medal of Civilian Valor. The president spoke individually with Yaniv Hayon, Dr. Shota Mussayev, Zvika Mena, and Asaf Raguan, telling Hayon "applause, you deserve it." Herzog praised their "courage, resourcefulness, and extraordinary mutual responsibility," saying they prevented an aviation disaster.
The attack occurred Wednesday when an Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain midflight, prompting passengers to intervene and force an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, was seriously wounded; he is now out of danger. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also hailed the passengers' heroism.
Herzog said he will bring the story before the advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Civilian Valor and recommend the award. The ceremony—if approved—would recognize what the president called "the beautiful and brave face of Israeli society."
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