Israeli PM Netanyahu slammed for calling son’s wedding delay ‘personal cost’ of war
New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked widespread criticism after describing the postponement of his son's wedding as a “personal cost” of the ongoing conflict with Iran. The remarks, made against the backdrop of missile strikes and civilian casualties, have drawn backlash online and from families affected by the war.
Speaking near the Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, which was recently hit by Iranian missiles, Netanyahu said, “Each of us bears a personal cost, and my family has not been exempt. This is the second time that my son Avner has cancelled a wedding due to missile threats. It is a personal cost for his fiancée as well, and I must say that my dear wife is a hero.”
He further likened the situation in Israel to the British Blitz during World War II, saying, “It really reminds me of the British people during the Blitz. We are going through a blitz.”
Netanyahu’s remarks were met with fierce condemnation online, with critics accusing him of equating a delayed wedding with the suffering of civilians and soldiers killed in the war. Among the voices was Anat Angrest, the mother of Matan, an Israeli captive held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. “I have been in the hellish dungeons of Gaza for 622 days now,” she wrote on social media, expressing outrage at Netanyahu’s focus.
The wedding of Avner Netanyahu was originally planned for November 2024 but was postponed due to security concerns. It was rescheduled for June 16, but once again delayed amid rising tensions and anti-government protests.
Since Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion” on June 13 targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the conflict has escalated rapidly. Iran responded with retaliatory missile strikes, including the use of cluster munitions, a first in the current conflict, one of which damaged the Soroka Hospital.
At least 24 Israeli civilians have been killed so far, while Iran has reported over 200 fatalities. The war has now entered its eighth day with no signs of de-escalation.
Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether to intervene militarily in the Iran-Israel conflict. Officials warned that Iran could be weeks away from building a nuclear bomb, depending on decisions by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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BLO deployed for SIR in Rajasthan dies after collapsing; postmortem to ascertain cause of death
Jaipur (PTI): A booth-level officer (BLO) deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district died after collapsing on his way home, officials said on Thursday.
Police said the cause of death will be ascertained only after the post-mortem report is received.
According to officials, Vijay Gurjar (42) was posted as a BLO and had been working at the Government Sardar Senior Secondary School in Kotputli.
He suddenly fell on the road while returning home on Wednesday evening and suffered injuries. His family took him to the government BDM District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
After the incident, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ramavatar Meena, Tehsildar Ramdhan Gurjar and senior police officers reached the hospital. The police conducted a post-mortem through a medical board and handed over the body to the family.
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A case has been registered at Kotputli police station.
Kotputli Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajendra Kumar said the reason behind Gurjar's collapse is unclear and will be determined only after the medical report.
"Vijay's SIR work had already been completed on December 4. There was no pressure on him and no notice issued to him," SDM Meena said, adding that the administration had been regularly counselling and assisting BLOs during the exercise.
Family members said Gurjar did not return home until late Wednesday night, prompting a search. He was found unconscious a short distance from his home in Karwas village.
