The passengers from the Flydubai plane are home in Israel, safe.

Israel asked Saudi authorities for permission to send Israeli Air Force Super Hercules planes to bring the passengers home, but Saudi Arabia refused the request. Because Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, the Israelis were instead transferred onto another flydubai flight, which returned them safely to Israel.

That being said, there is footage of the Saudi medics taking good care of the Israeli passengers on Saudi soil. I'm feeling grateful they were met with care and safety after that first horrifying flight.

When they finally landed in Ben Gurion, once again they sang, this time, "Hashem Yitbarach, tamid ohev oti..." a song that sings about the way that God loves his people and does good for us.

MADA (Israeli emergency services) is waiting for them, ready to assess each passenger, and make sure they are well before they finally return home.

A harrowing day for the passengers of the Flydubai flight, but truth is I keep coming back to this idea:

We have to be this strong.

This smart, resilient, and capable.

We have to be able to face the evil of the world when it comes to d*stroy us.

We need to respond like a lion, with swiftness and certainty.

With excellence and training.

We have no choice.

Sometimes it feels like we are alone in the world.

Allies are always in flux.

But if we look heavenward for intervention...

They called out "Shema Yisrael" when they thought they were plummeting to their de*ths.

They landed in safety and praised His name.

Hodu laHashem Ki Tov- Praise for God because He is good.

Sukkot- already such a charged time for our people since the last three years...

and now a miracle of protection- Sukkot Shlomecha- it's awe-inspiring.

Just consider what the outcome could have been.

Thank You, Hashem.

We know this comes from You.