Uganda Unveils Monument to Yonatan Netanyahu 50 Years After Entebbe Rescue Operation

Fifty years after the legendary Entebbe rescue operation, Uganda has commemorated Yonatan 'Yoni' Netanyahu with a statue at the old terminal of Entebbe Airport, where he was killed leading the Israeli commando raid. The dedication ceremony was led by Uganda's army commander, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni. Kainerugaba emphasized that the monument honors not only Netanyahu's sacrifice but also symbolizes courage, dedication, and selflessness in saving lives.

The Entebbe raid took place on July 4, 1976, after an Air France plane was hijacked en route from Tel Aviv to Paris and diverted to Uganda. The hijackers received sanctuary under dictator Idi Amin, demanding ransom and prisoner releases. A week later, four Israeli C-130 Hercules transport planes launched the daring rescue mission, successfully freeing the hostages. Netanyahu, who commanded the rescue force, was the sole Israeli fatality, while four hostages also died during the ordeal.

During the ceremony, General Kainerugaba also honored the four hostages who lost their lives: Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pesach Cohen, Ida Boruchovitch, and Dora Bloch. Bloch, hospitalized in Kampala during the raid, was killed afterward and remains a poignant symbol of the tragedy.

Kainerugaba revealed that the monument was placed at the exact location where Netanyahu fell, inspired by visions he claimed to have received from God instructing him to build the memorial. He described the statue as a testament to the enduring friendship and practical cooperation between Uganda and Israel, which extends far beyond the events of 1976. The monument stands as a lasting tribute to Netanyahu's heroism and the historic rescue operation that remains one of Israel's most famous military achievements.