Half a century after the Entebbe hostage rescue operation captured international attention, Uganda has unveiled a statue honoring Lt. Col. Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu at the old Entebbe Airport terminal, where the Israeli commander was killed while leading the mission that rescued dozens of hostages in 1976.
At the dedication ceremony, Uganda's military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commended Netanyahu's leadership and sacrifice. "It is a great honor and privilege to join you at this historic site as we unveil this monument to Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan 'Yoni' Netanyahu, the courageous commander of the Israeli rescue force whose leadership and ultimate sacrifice during the Entebbe raid of July 4, 1976, has become an enduring symbol of courage, duty and selfless service," Kainerugaba said.
Kainerugaba also acknowledged those killed during the hostage crisis, naming Jean-Jacques Maimoni, Pasco Cohen, Ida Borochovitch, and Dora Bloch, and stated: "As we gather here, we also respectfully remember the innocent hostages who lost their lives during those tragic events. Their memory remains an important part of this solemn history."
The general highlighted the relationship between Uganda and Israel that has developed since the raid, noting: "The friendship between Uganda and Israel extends well beyond the events of 1976. Our two countries have enjoyed good relations for a long time now, founded on mutual respect and practical cooperation."
The monument fulfills a pledge Kainerugaba made earlier this year to erect a statue at the location where Netanyahu fell. In a post on X that was later deleted, the general stated he believed the project had been divinely inspired.
The hijacking began when an Air France flight carrying 246 passengers was diverted to Uganda after being seized following a stop in Athens. Terrorists from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Germany's Revolutionary Cells demanded $5 million and the release of 53 pro-Palestinian prisoners. The hijackers separated Israeli and Jewish passengers from other hostages, releasing most non-Jewish captives within two days while detaining the Israelis and Jews.
One week later, Israeli commandos launched a swift rescue operation, with four C-130 Hercules aircraft transporting elite forces to Entebbe. The raid, completed within hours, successfully rescued the hostages. Four hostages died during the operation, and Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier killed.