The monument was unveiled at the historic Old Entebbe Terminal by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at the site where Yoni Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was fatally shot while leading Israel’s elite Sayeret Matkal commandos during Operation Entebbe.
Addressing guests at the ceremony on Saturday, Gen. Kainerugaba said the memorial serves not only to honour Netanyahu’s sacrifice but also to celebrate the values of courage, duty and protecting innocent lives.
“It is a great honour and privilege to join you at this historic site as we unveil this monument to Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu, the courageous commander of the Israeli rescue force whose leadership and ultimate sacrifice during the Entebbe raid of 4th July 1976 has become an enduring symbol of courage, duty, and selfless service,” he said.
He added that the monument reflects more than a historical event, describing it as a tribute to universal military and humanitarian values.
“Monuments are more than stone and bronze. They preserve memory, teach history, and inspire future generations,” Gen. Kainerugaba said. “This monument, therefore, carries significance far beyond commemorating one brave individual.”
The Ugandan military chief also paid tribute to the civilian hostages who lost their lives during the crisis, including Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch and Dora Bloch. He also acknowledged the Ugandan soldiers who died during the confrontation, while drawing a distinction between the present-day Ugandan state and the regime of former dictator Idi Amin.
“The events that unfolded here in July 1976 remain one of the most significant episodes in modern history,” he said. “Today, however, Uganda is a constitutional democracy committed to peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement with the international community.”
Gen. Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening ties with Israel, saying the relationship between the two countries is built on mutual respect and practical cooperation.
“As we look to the future, we remain committed to deepening our cooperation across all areas of mutual interest while working together to advance peace, security, innovation and sustainable development,” he said.
Representing the Israeli delegation, businessman Barack Orland thanked Gen. Kainerugaba for championing the construction of the memorial. He described the monument as a lasting symbol of friendship between Uganda and Israel and said it reflected the two nations’ shared commitment to future generations.
Yoni Netanyahu was the commander of Israel’s elite Sayeret Matkal unit during Operation Entebbe, a daring mission launched after Air France Flight 139 was hijacked by Palestinian and German militants in June 1976 and diverted to Uganda with the backing of Idi Amin’s regime.
Israeli commandos flew more than 2,500 miles to Entebbe under cover of darkness, stormed the old terminal building and rescued 102 hostages. Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed during the operation after being struck by gunfire as the assault began.
The mission was later officially renamed Operation Yonatan in his honour and remains one of the most celebrated hostage rescue operations in military history.
Leave a Reply