Uganda unveils Yoni Netanyahu memorial at Entebbe Airport 50 years after rescue operation

A memorial honoring Lt.-Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed exactly 50 years ago during the historic Entebbe rescue operation, was unveiled Saturday at the old terminal of Entebbe Airport in Uganda. The ceremony marked a significant moment in the relationship between Uganda and Israel.

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We unveil the memorial to Lt.-Col. Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu, the courageous commander of the Israeli rescue force, whose leadership and ultimate sacrifice during the Entebbe raid on July 4, 1976, became an enduring symbol of courage, duty, and selfless service.

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, chief of Uganda’s military and son of the president, presented the memorial as a symbol of the strong and lasting friendship, security partnership, and mutual trust between the two nations. He emphasized that the memorial honors not only Netanyahu's sacrifice but also the values of courage, duty, and the protection of innocent lives that he represented.

Kainerugaba also remembered the hostages who perished during the 1976 raid and the Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives. He contrasted the current democratic Uganda with the brutal dictatorship of Idi Amin, under whom some hostages were murdered. The Ugandan military chief stressed that the friendship between Uganda and Israel goes beyond the 1976 operation, rooted in long-standing mutual respect and cooperation.

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Memorials are more than stone and bronze. They preserve memory, teach history, and inspire future generations.

The memorial serves as a testament to shared history and a commitment to future generations. Israeli national Barak Orland, present at the ceremony, described the monument as a symbol of two nations standing together. The event underscored the deep historical ties and ongoing collaboration between Uganda and Israel.

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The friendship between Uganda and Israel extends far beyond the events of 1976. The two countries have enjoyed good relations for a long time, based on mutual respect and practical cooperation.