He was just a plumber. Then he helped save a plane full of passengers - opinion

Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber traveling home to Israel, helped subdue an attacker aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, then stabilized the aircraft's controls until another pilot took over. The plane diverted safely to Saudi Arabia. A week later, Hayoun received the Hineni Award at the Friends of Zion Global Prayer Event in Jerusalem, where four former October 7 hostages were also honored.

Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber by profession, was traveling home to Israel on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an attacker entered the cockpit and seriously injured the captain. As the aircraft began descending dangerously, Hayoun joined other passengers in confronting and restraining the attacker. He then returned to the cockpit and pulled back on the controls to stabilize the plane until another pilot could take over. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely; everyone aboard survived. One week later, on October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, Hayoun was honored at the Friends of Zion Global Prayer Event in Jerusalem, receiving the Hineni Award. The event also featured four former hostages from the October 7 attacks: Agam Berger, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Bar Kupershtein, and Evyatar David. The article, written by Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Museum, frames Hayoun's story as a message of courage and solidarity with Israel.