Visit marks new chapter after airport raid - Israel PM

Kampala- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday described his country’s clinical mission to rescue the 103 nationals who had been held hostage at Entebbe airport in 1976 as a “watershed moment” that taught his people a lesson of fighting back and protecting themselves.

Mr Netanyahu, who was in the country for a day’s visit to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this mission often referred to as the ‘Raid on Entebbe’ in which his brother, Lt Col Yonatan Netanyahu, was shot dead by a Ugandan soldier, said it was not only an “emotional privilege” but also a new chapter in the Israel-Africa relations.

“Forty years ago, a group of Israeli commandos landed in the dead of the night in a country led by a brutal dictator on a rescue mission. Today, we land in the light of the day in a country led by friendly president,” he said.

Israeli delegation
Mr Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara Netanyahu and a group of about 100 military officials touched down at about 1:40pm at the old Entebbe airport; where 40 years ago on the same day, an elite squad commanded by his elder brother Yoni Netanyahu attacked on a rescue mission.

Yoni was the lone casualty in the group. The mission has since been christened “Operation Yonatan.”

Also accompanying him were the surviving members of the elite squad that raided Entebbe and select hostages who were rescued that day.

In his speech, Mr Netanyahu commended Uganda’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and vowed to contribute to these efforts, also promising to help other African countries.
“When terrorism succeeds in one place it thrives everywhere. When it is defeated somewhere it is defeated everywhere.”

He said the raid on Entebbe “delivered a devastating blow to the spirits of terrorism” and vowed that the fight will continue guided by two principles -clarity, to distinguish between good and evil and courage, to fight.

“We must condemn all acts of terrorism everywhere, whether in Paris, San Bernado, Orlando or Nairobi.”

He later met select African presidents, Zambia’s Edgar Lungu, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, Malawi’s Peter Mutharika and the Ethiopian premier Hailemariam Desalegn.

He said the visit, the first by an Israeli premier on the continent in 30 years, marked a new page in relations saying that “Israel is coming to Africa, and Africa is coming to Israel”.

The celebration of the anniversary was attended by several government dignitaries, Ugandan military officials, select members of the Jewish community in the country and members of the Diplomatic Corp.

President Museveni used the moment to talk tough promising to double the efforts in the fight against terrorism but also set the record straight that he supports Israel living side by side and in harmony with her arch rival Palestine.
It was, however ,not clear why the President repeatedly referred to Palestine.

In his opening remarks using political and biblical facets, President Museveni dwelt a lot on the bond between Palestine and Uganda/ Africa which caused some discomfort among the visitors.

In the presence of his guest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his delegation and the top brass of the Ugandan government, Mr Museveni also advanced a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict saying Uganda’s view is guided by the Bible and cannot accept “bigotry” which holds that “either of you [Palestine or Israel] does not belong in that area.”

“We hear the Jews came from Sarah and that the Arabs came from Hagar. I normally tell our Arab and Iranian friends that you are mentioned in the Bible. The Bible in Genesis says that Abraham the father of the Israelites came from Ur,” he said.

“We in Uganda cannot accept the bigotry that either of you do not belong to that area. When I meet the Arabs that is what I tell them.”

On territory
President Museveni, drawing on both historical and biblical narratives said the two countries “rightfully” belong where they are.

The President also said Israel was right to invade Uganda to rescue its citizens because former President Idi Amin “ was hobnobbing with terrorists which was a crime in itself”.

Besides fighting terrorism, going forward, Mr Museveni called on Israel being an IT hub to collaborate with Uganda in investments, trade, tourism and technological transfer.
President Museveni called for more investments in trade, tourism and technological cooperation between Israel and Uganda, saying the two countries stand to benefit from the cooperation.

“Forty years from the sad events of 1976 should be turned into opportunity. Israeli companies should come and invest in Africa. Trade between Israel and Africa is potentially beneficial,” he said.

He also commended the Israeli leaders for refusing British designs of relocating them to Uganda.
“The Jewish leaders wisely avoided the British from bringing the Jews to Uganda because the Jews have no historical claim here, “ he said.

Museveni faults Amin for Israel raid

Meanwhile, President Museveni yesterday faulted a decision by former President Idi Amin to support the Palestinian militants who hijacked an Air France plane in 1976 and held Israelis hostage at Entebbe International Airport.

In his speech, President Museveni said: “Liberation movements only fight for just causes and never use terrorist methods. When it comes to which wars to fight, it must be for a cause and just methods. It is cowardly to target noncombatants.”

On June 27, 1976, an Air France plane with 248 passengers was hijacked by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – External Operations (PFLP-EO).
The hijackers had the stated objective to cause the freeing of 40 Palestinian and affiliated militants imprisoned in Israel and 13 prisoners in four other countries, mainly in Europe, in exchange for the hostages.

The flight, which had originated in Tel Aviv the capital of Israel was destined for Paris but was diverted after a stopover in Athens, Greece via Benghazi, Libya to Entebbe International Airport.

After moving all hostages from the aircraft to a disused airport building, the hijackers separated all Israeli and several non-Israeli Jews from the larger group of other passengers and forced them into a separate room.

Over the following two days, 148 non-Israeli hostages were released and flown out to Paris, but 94 passengers mainly Israelis, along with the 12-member Air France crew, remained as hostages and were threatened with death.

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