Herzog hosts Entebbe commemoration, stresses Israel's duty to protect citizens

President Isaac Herzog hosted a state ceremony in Jerusalem on Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, emphasizing Israel's unwavering responsibility to protect its citizens, particularly in the context of the ongoing war with Iran. The event brought together Entebbe survivors, their families, and veterans of the 1976 hostage rescue mission.

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Operation Yonatan [Entebbe] was one of the most extraordinary operations in Israel's history. It was also a moral declaration. On that night, the State of Israel established a principle that still resonates in our generation: there are borders to the state, but there is no limit to our responsibility.

"Operation Yonatan [Entebbe] was one of the most extraordinary operations in Israel's history," Herzog declared. "It was also a moral declaration. On that night, the State of Israel established a principle that still resonates in our generation: there are borders to the state, but there is no limit to our responsibility." He underscored Israel's commitment to rescuing its "sons and daughters" wherever they may be.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir echoed these sentiments, linking the Entebbe anniversary to the current security landscape following the October 7 attacks. "We march with resolve and a sense of historic responsibility along those same paths, near and far, to secure the safety of our citizens," Zamir said. "This has been our guiding compass since that night in Entebbe, and all the more so since October 7th, rooted in a deep and clear understanding: we, and we alone, are responsible for the lives and safety of our citizens."

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We march with resolve and a sense of historic responsibility along those same paths, near and far, to secure the safety of our citizens. This has been our guiding compass since that night in Entebbe, and all the more so since October 7th, rooted in a deep and clear understanding: we, and we alone, are responsible for the lives and safety of our citizens.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the ceremony, drawing lessons from the Entebbe operation in the context of current hostilities with Iran. "It taught the world that it is possible, and necessary, to stand firm against bloodthirsty terrorists, to strike them, and to defeat them," Netanyahu stated. "That is what we are doing in the current war: we are systematically dismantling the Iranian axis of evil, which sought to advance its plan for Israel's destruction." Netanyahu's older brother, Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu, was the only soldier killed during the Entebbe rescue.

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It taught the world that it is possible, and necessary, to stand firm against bloodthirsty terrorists, to strike them, and to defeat them. That is what we are doing in the current war: we are systematically dismantling the Iranian axis of evil, which sought to advance its plan for Israel's destruction.