A memorial statue dedicated to Yonatan Netanyahu has been installed at the former Entebbe International Airport terminal. This tribute arrives five decades after the historic 1976 mission to rescue hostages held at the site.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces for Uganda, presided over the unveiling ceremony. He praised Netanyahu as an exemplar of bravery and dedication. During his address, Kainerugaba also recognized the individuals who perished during the crisis, specifically naming Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch, and Dora Bloch.
The event highlighted the enduring diplomatic ties between Uganda and Israel. Kainerugaba emphasized that these nations maintain a partnership rooted in mutual respect. The 1976 hijacking involved an Air France flight redirected to Uganda by militants, a situation permitted by then-President Idi Amin. Israel eventually launched a long-range tactical operation on July 4, 1976, to liberate over 100 captives. While the mission was a success, Yonatan Netanyahu—the elder sibling of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—was the sole Israeli military casualty during the engagement.
