President Yitzchak Herzog will honor six Israelis on Thursday for their actions during the attempted terrorist attack aboard an Israel-bound Flydubai flight, recognizing their role in preventing a major disaster.

The recipients are Or Bardilov, Yaniv Hayun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Tali Manes, Zvika Manes and Assaf Rajuan. The ceremony will take place at the President’s Residence in Yerushalayim.

The passengers acted after the co-pilot attacked and stabbed the captain, sending the aircraft into a dangerous descent. Despite his injuries, the Indian captain fought the attacker and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene.

According to the President’s Residence, Tali Manes heard the violence and commotion inside the cockpit and was the first to alert other passengers and call for help.

Yaniv Hayun, Zvika Manes and Assaf Rajuan entered the cockpit and helped subdue the terrorist, risking their lives. Hayun also stabilized the aircraft’s controls during the struggle.

Manes continued assisting after the attacker was subdued, calling for pilots seated in the rear of the aircraft to come forward and help regain control of the plane.

Dr. Musayev treated the seriously wounded captain and helped stabilize his condition until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Herzog informed four of the passengers last week that he intended to recommend them for the award. He subsequently spoke with Manes after further details emerged about her role.

“Tali, the more we learn about what happened during those dramatic moments, the clearer it becomes just how significant a role you played in saving the lives of the passengers on the plane,” Herzog told her.

“You heard that something terrible was happening, immediately understood the magnitude of the danger, raised the alarm, called for help, and did not stop taking action even after the attacker had been neutralized.”

Herzog praised her resourcefulness, responsibility and composure in life-threatening circumstances, calling her actions “civilian heroism in the fullest sense of the word.”

“You are a hero, Tali, and I am proud of you and thank you on behalf of the State of Israel,” he said.

The President’s Award for Civilian Heroism, established by Herzog following the October 7 massacre, is Israel’s highest civilian award specifically recognizing heroism. It honors civilians who placed their own lives at serious risk to save others.

Recipients are selected following a review and recommendation by an advisory committee appointed by the president. Previous recipients include civilians who saved lives during the October 7 attacks and other emergencies.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)