Netanyahu Draws Flak For Comparing Son's Wedding Delay To 'Personal Cost Of War'

Last Updated:June 20, 2025, 09:35 IST

Netanyahu, whose son Avner's wedding was delayed for the second time amid the conflict with Iran, said it was a "personal cost of war" and called his wife Sara a "hero".

Netanyahu said his son's wedding being cancelled again was a "personal cost for war" for his family. (Photo: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew flak for comparing his son Avner Netanyahu’s wedding, which was delayed for the second time amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, to a “personal cost of war" and referring to the situation in Britain during World War II, where 40,000 people were killed due to Nazi bombing.

Avner’s wedding was earlier scheduled in November, but was postponed after a Hezbollah drone hit one of the Prime Minister’s private residences while he wasn’t at home. The wedding was criticised by several people for holding a celebration while Israeli hostages were being held in Gaza.

The wedding was rescheduled on Monday (June 16), but was once again postponed after Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, eliminating most of its military leadership and striking military facilities and nuclear sites, sparking fears of a full-fledged war in West Asia.

Speaking to reporters in front of a hospital building struck by an Iranian missile barrage, Netanyahu invoked the spirit of London during the Blitz in World War II, according to The Guardian. “There are people who were killed, families who grieved loved ones, I really appreciate that," he said.

“Each of us bears a personal cost, and my family has not been exempt," Netanyahu said, adding that the cancellation of Avner’s wedding was disappointing for his fiancée, while calling his wife, Sara Netanyahu, a “hero" for enduring the disappointment.

‘Borderless Narcissist’

Netanyahu’s remarks sparked instant backlash on social media, with many calling his statement tone-deaf and cut off emotionally from the daily realities of Israel and the region, after more than 17 years in office.

Anat Angrest, whose son Matan has been held hostage since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, observed that the suffering “didn’t go unnoticed by my family either". Angrest said, “I have been in the hellish dungeons of Gaza for 622 days now."

Gilad Kariv, a Knesset member for the Democrats, called Netanyahu a “borderless narcissist", adding that there were many families who will “now never elebrate the weddings that were once meant to take place."

He also criticised Netanyahu’s claim that his wife, Sara, notorious in Israel for her expensive tastes, was a hero. “The doctors who leave home for night shifts are the heroes," he said. “The teachers who keep our children together on Zoom and phone calls are the heroes."

Amir Tibon, an Israeli journalist, argued that public figures whose children had been killed in combat would never draw attention to the fact. “But there are no surprises with Netanyahu. Even in moments when a personal example is most needed, he is first and foremost concerned with himself."

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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News world Netanyahu Draws Flak For Comparing Son's Wedding Delay To 'Personal Cost Of War'