Entebbe raid veterans boycott state ceremony in protest at Netanyahu

Dozens of Israeli commandos who participated in the legendary 1976 Entebbe raid have announced they will boycott a state ceremony marking the operation’s 50th anniversary, scheduled for Sunday at the President’s residence. The boycott includes Benny Davidzohn, one of the most severely wounded soldiers from the mission, who was rescued during Operation Jonathan.

The 36 veterans who plan to stay away have issued a joint statement criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage crisis. They accuse him of repeatedly invoking the Entebbe operation and the hostage rescue as a symbol of Israeli military prowess, whilst simultaneously allowing hostages to remain captive in Hamas tunnels in Gaza. The veterans argue Netanyahu is using the historical operation for political gain whilst failing to secure the release of current hostages.

The commandos stated in their message: “We will not serve as a backdrop for Netanyahu.” This represents a significant rebuke from one of Israel’s most celebrated military operations, highlighting deep divisions over the government’s current approach to the hostage negotiations. The Entebbe raid remains a defining moment in Israeli history, when commandos successfully freed 102 hostages from a hijacked Air France plane in Uganda.

The boycott underscores the broader controversy surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and disagreements among Israeli society about how the government is managing the hostage situation. The timing of the anniversary ceremony has become politically charged, with the former heroes of Israel’s most famous rescue operation now distancing themselves from official commemorations.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.