Israel commemorates Entebbe raid as veterans boycott ceremony amid Netanyahu‑Iran rhetoric

President Isaac Herzog hosted a state ceremony in Jerusalem marking the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Entebbe rescue, where Israeli commandos freed 102 hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the event to link the historic operation to Israel’s current war with Iran, saying the raid "turned the impossible into possible" and that Israel is "systematically crushing the Iranian axis of evil."

Dozens of the raid’s veterans, including former deputy commander Matan Vilnai, refused to attend, calling the celebration inappropriate while Israel fights the Hamas‑instigated war and drafting reservists. Vilnai told CNN, "What exactly is there to celebrate – an operation from 50 years ago? I haven’t celebrated since October 7." The boycott highlighted internal dissent over Netanyahu’s leadership and policies amid the ongoing conflict.