Behind the Scenes of Park Hotel Attack: Sharon Learned of It from Journalist
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Journalist Yoni Ben Menachem revealed he informed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about the Park Hotel bombing in 2002 during a Passover Seder, as Sharon had not yet received official word. The conversation led to Sharon's immediate decision to launch Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank. Ben Menachem considered himself a close friend of Sharon and believed his call was the catalyst for the major military operation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Yoni Ben Menachem informed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of the Park Hotel bombing on Passover night 2002.
- Sharon stated he had not received any official update on the Netanya hotel attack.
- The conversation prompted Sharon to immediately convene the General Staff.
- Sharon decided to launch a major operation in the West Bank following the news.
- Ben Menachem believes this was the moment Operation Defensive Shield was decided.
- Ben Menachem was considered one of Sharon's two close journalist friends.
Journalist Yoni Ben Menachem recounts a dramatic behind-the-scenes conversation with then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the night of the Park Hotel bombing in 2002. Ben Menachem, who considered himself a close friend of Sharon, called the Prime Minister during the Passover Seder to inform him of the attack in Netanya, as Sharon had requested to be kept updated on significant events.
Sharon expressed surprise, stating he had not yet received any official update from his military secretariat. Ben Menachem described the bombing as a massacre of guests at the hotel. Following this revelation, the conversation shifted, and Sharon, under immense pressure during a severe wave of terrorism, decided to act decisively.
Sharon informed Ben Menachem that he was immediately summoning a helicopter to convene the General Staff and launch a major operation in the West Bank. Ben Menachem believes this conversation marked the moment the decision was made to initiate Operation Defensive Shield. He noted that Sharon had two close friends in Israeli journalism, himself and the late Uri Dan.
Ben Menachem emphasized that his call was motivated by friendship, not just his professional role, highlighting his close relationship with Sharon. The article positions this event as a rare instance where a journalist was not just reporting on history but was tangentially involved in its making.