Not Just the Magnificent Five: The Heroine Left Behind on the Flydubai Flight | Avi Ashkenazi

Avi Ashkenazi's column criticizes President Isaac Herzog for recommending a medal of valor to the passengers of the Flydubai flight, allegedly ignoring a woman who first identified the drama in the cockpit. The author calls on the president to act with dignity and await the investigation. The column also addresses the IDF's public diplomacy war against Hamas and the controversy surrounding the commander of the 401st Brigade who denied leave to soldiers about to be discharged.

Avi Ashkenazi's column in Maariv sharply criticizes President Isaac Herzog for recommending a medal of valor to the passengers of the Flydubai flight. The author claims the president forgot a woman who first identified the drama in the cockpit, calling her "the real heroine of the flight." Ashkenazi calls on the president to act with dignity and await the completion of the initial investigation, accusing him of competing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he says is busy with a "festival of heroism" of the passengers. The author notes that the Mossad is working around the clock to investigate the incident and that cooperation with the UAE is good and close. Later, Ashkenazi turns to the IDF, praising the army's public diplomacy efforts against Hamas. He also criticizes Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for backing the commander of the 401st Brigade, Colonel Shneider, who denied leave to soldiers about to be discharged, arguing that the IDF will not win wars if it acts this way.