Netanyahu pauses UNGA speech to thank Uganda for statue honouring his brother Yonatan Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, acknowledged a gesture from Uganda that carries a personal significance for him.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)During his address, Netanyahu paused to thank Uganda for erecting a statue honouring his older brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, at the site where he was killed during the 1976 Entebbe hostage-rescue operation.Also read: Netanyahu’s time in Philadelphia in focus after UN speech; where Israel PM was born and his US tiesA personal moment during UN speechNetanyahu’s remarks turned briefly from the wider issues addressed in his speech to the memory of his brother, whose death remains closely connected with the Entebbe operation.He expressed his gratitude to Uganda for placing a statue of Yonatan Netanyahu at the location where he lost his life nearly five decades ago.“I want to thank Uganda again for recently erecting a statue of Yoni in the place where he fell,” Netanyahu said.Also read: Netanyahu takes on Mamdani, warns Iran's ‘murderous dictatorship’ at UN as delegates storm outWhat was the 1976 Entebbe operation?The Entebbe operation was an Israeli commando mission carried out in Uganda in 1976 to rescue passengers held hostage after their flight was hijacked by terrorists. According to details of the operation on idf.il, the hijackers demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel as part of their conditions. Israeli commandos launched the rescue mission at Entebbe Airport, where the hostages were being held.Benjamin Netanyahu’s older brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, served as the commanding officer of the mission. During the operation, Yonatan was killed while Israeli forces rescued 103 Israeli passengers who had been held hostage. His death became closely associated with the Entebbe rescue mission, and his name has since remained linked to the operation.Also read: At UN, Netanyahu brandishes pager: ‘Remember the beepers? Hezbollah sure does’Statue placed nearly 50 years laterThe statue of ‘Yoni’ was unveiled in August 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe operation.Nearly 50 years after the Entebbe hostage-rescue operation, Yonatan Netanyahu’s memory has been formally marked at the location of his death, with his brother publicly thanking Uganda for the gesture.Netanyahu remembered his words "We are going to win he said, we don't have other choice."