“You Prevented a Major Disaster”: Israelis Who Subdued Plane Terrorist Receive Bravery Award

President Isaac Herzog today (Thursday) awarded the Civilian Bravery Medal to the six Israelis who thwarted the terrorist attack on a flydubai flight one week ago.

The medal was presented at a ceremony at the President’s Residence to Yaniv Hiyon, Tzvika and Tali Menas, Or Fardilov, Asaf Rajuan, and Dr. Shota Musayev, who also provided lifesaving medical treatment to the captain after he was stabbed by the terrorist.

Herzog praised the medal recipients: “I have the privilege and honor of hosting you here, at the President’s Residence, to recognize the tremendous civilian bravery embodied in your actions and to witness one of the most chilling aviation stories humanity in general, and Israeli society in particular, has ever known.”

“It is a story in which there was no time to think, formulate a plan, consult, or prepare. A story written without orders and without a briefing. Without ranks and without prior coordination. A story in which fate is decided in a single moment. A moment in which a person discovers who they truly are. A moment in which we discover who Israelis are.”

“The lives of 174 passengers were hanging in the balance, along with who knows how many more people on the ground. Tali, you were the one who immediately noticed what was happening and called for help; Yaniv, Tzvika, Or, and Asaf, you rushed into danger, subdued the attacker, and helped bring the plane back under control; and you, Dr. Musayev, helped subdue him and provided lifesaving medical treatment to the injured pilot; you are the six who prevented a major aviation disaster. A disaster that would have changed the face of the country and the Middle East.”

Herzog also mentioned the captain, Smith Matcher, who “fought the attacker despite his severe injury and, with his remaining strength, managed to open the cockpit door. From here, I send him, on behalf of all of us, wishes for a full and speedy recovery. I intend to honor him as well, as the committee also recommended, with the President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery. Deep thanks also to the replacement pilots, and to all the other passengers who lent a hand. We will learn their story as well in the future.”

The medal recipients thanked the president. Yaniv Hiyon said: “It is a great honor that the president chose to award me the Bravery Medal. It will hang proudly in our home, and my children will be able to see it every day.” Tali Menas said: “I guess I am a mother with motherly intuition, and I was in the right place, at the right time, with the very best people.” Tzvika Menas added: “What pushed me forward was the cry of my daughters. When a parent hears a cry like that, they act without thinking.” Dr. Shota Musayev said: “That day, many miracles happened. We were a chain of people who helped, and if one link had been missing, it would have broken. Everyone acted bravely.”