Uganda unveils statue of Israel PM’s brother who died in Entebbe rescue mission

New Monument Honors Israeli Hero of Entebbe Rescue

Ninoda.com – Uganda has dedicated a bronze statue commemorating Yonatan Netanyahu, the elder sibling of Israel’s current prime minister, who lost his life during the celebrated Entebbe hostage rescue operation half a century ago. The monument stands outside the historic airport terminal where the dramatic rescue unfolded, depicting Netanyahu advancing with a machine gun gripped in his hands.

A Mission of Courage and Sacrifice

Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, revealed that the new monument pays tribute to Netanyahu’s bravery and dedication. The Israeli commander became the sole Israeli military casualty during the daring assault that freed over one hundred captives. The crisis began when two Palestinian and two German hijackers seized an Air France aircraft departing from Tel Aviv, redirecting it to Uganda’s main international airport.

“May their memories continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity,” the army chief stated during the ceremony.

During the intense operation, three additional hostages perished: Jean-Jacques Mimouni, Pasco Cohen, and Ida Borochovitch. Tragically, Dora Bloch was subsequently murdered while receiving medical treatment in a Kampala hospital.

Historical Context of the Rescue

The Paris-bound aircraft had originally departed Tel Aviv on June 27, 1976, making a stopover in Athens where members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boarded and took control. After refueling in Libya, the Airbus A300 arrived in Uganda where President Idi Amin greeted the passengers. The hijackers requested five million dollars and the release of fifty-three militants imprisoned across Israel, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Kenya.

While some captives were freed on June 30 and July 1, Israeli and Jewish passengers remained. On July 3, elite Israeli commandos arrived from Israel via Kenya and executed the swift rescue lasting under ninety minutes.

“I learned from my brother that you need two things to defeat the terrorists: clarity and courage,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared during his Entebbe visit ten years ago.

The fighting resulted in the deaths of the hijackers, three Ugandan accomplices, and at least forty-five Ugandan soldiers. Kainerugaba acknowledged the fallen soldiers, noting they “fought valiantly… in what they believed was a justified cause.” He added that while Idi Amin’s government was a harsh dictatorship that did not reflect the Ugandan people, the relationship between the nations has since evolved significantly.

“One of the most significant episodes in modern history,” Kainerugaba described the mission, calling the current bilateral ties “a remarkable journey.”

Though the events represented a deep humiliation for Amin at the time, Kainerugaba characterized the half-century-ago incident as “a painful chapter in our history.” He emphasized that Uganda-Israel relations have matured into “a partnership characterised by mutual trust, respect and co-operation.”