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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Switching to electric power has saved Railways Rs 6,000 crore: Vaishnaw in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): The Railways has saved Rs 6,000 crore by shifting from diesel to electric energy to run trains, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Responding to a debate on demands for grants of the Railway Ministry, he also said that the national transporter has become the second largest cargo carrier in the world.
Vaishnaw said that during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, 35,000 km of railway track has been laid while 27,000 km has been electrified.
He said while staff cost is the biggest expenditure of the Railways, energy is the second biggest expenditure.
He noted that in coming times diesel locomotives will fade away making way for electric locomotives.
Vaishnaw said since the Modi government came to power in 2014, politics of performance has taken over from politics of vote.
He said that in a visionary decision, PM Modi had decided to merge the railway budget with the general budget which has led to increase in financial allocation for his ministry.
Now, new trains are inaugurated and new projects are launched throughout the year, which was not the case earlier. Railways' financial health has increased and so has transparency in publishing accounts, he said.
Vaishnaw noted that the Finance Ministry and other agencies keep a tab on monetary health using IT systems.
As many as 210 MPs participated in the debate which lasted two days.
