(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Thursday, 1 October 2026 / 20 Tishrei 5787


Update: President Herzog to Recommend Tali Manes for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism

President Herzog: "The resourcefulness, responsibility, and composure you showed in moments of mortal danger are civilian heroism in the fullest sense of the word. You are a hero, Tali."


On October 1, 2026, following the Office of the President's announcement regarding the four heroes of the flight from Dubai, and after further testimony was received about what took place during the critical moments of the flight, President Isaac Herzog also spoke with Tali Manes, wife of Zvika Manes. He informed her of his intention to add her name to his recommendation to the advisory committee for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.

The testimony indicates that Tali Manes played a significant role in responding to the incident and saving the passengers on board. When she heard the violence and commotion coming from the cockpit, she was the first to alert the passengers to what was happening and to call for help, prompting the passengers who rushed to assist and overpower the attacker. Even after the attacker had been subdued, she continued to act with composure and resourcefulness, calling on pilots seated at the back of the aircraft to come to the cockpit and help regain control of the plane.


President Isaac Herzog:

"Tali, the more we learn about what happened in those dramatic moments, the clearer it becomes how significant a part you played in saving the lives of the passengers. You heard that something terrible was happening, immediately understood the scale of the danger, raised the alarm, called for help, and did not stop acting even after the attacker had been subdued. The resourcefulness, responsibility, and composure you showed in moments of mortal danger are 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. I intend to recommend that the advisory committee grant you, too, the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism."


President Herzog therefore intends to recommend that the award be granted to the five Israelis who acted during the incident: Tali Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Zvika Manes, and Asaf Rajuan.


Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572