"Where Is the Prime Minister's Son?" Israeli Reservists Condemn

Prime Minister Netanyahu's son Yair, despite mobilization order,
only active on SNS in the US... "He abandoned his homeland," simmering anger

Since the surprise attack by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas on the 7th, as Israel prepares for a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, criticism has poured in among reservists over the Israeli Prime Minister's eldest son remaining in the United States, accusing him of "abandoning his homeland."

As the threat of war with Hamas escalated, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a full mobilization order for reservists and increased the number of aircraft, gathering reservist resources from around the world. Currently, ahead of the planned ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the IDF has a force of 170,000 active-duty personnel and 360,000 reservists.

Yair Netanyahu visiting Central Park in New York, USA, on the 30th of last month, before Hamas's surprise attack. [Image source=Captured from Yair Netanyahu's Instagram]

However, it was reported on the 23rd (local time) by the UK’s The Times that Yair Netanyahu (32), the son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a reservist, is still staying in the United States, prompting voices of condemnation from within.

Yair left for Florida earlier this year after controversies arose when he referred to protesters as "terrorists" on social media during the largest protests in Israel’s history against the Netanyahu government’s judicial reforms. An Israeli soldier commented, “While I am on the front lines, Yair is enjoying life in Miami Beach.”

A reservist on Israel’s northern front, where clashes with the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed faction Hezbollah are intensifying, criticized, “Yair’s absence from the battlefield is fueling distrust and anger among the soldiers.”

He said, “It is not those responsible for this situation but us who have left our workplaces, families, and children to protect our homeland’s families,” adding, “Our brothers, fathers, and sons are all going to the front lines, yet Yair is still not here. This does not help build trust in the country’s leadership.”

A reservist receiving food distribution at the front line of the Gaza Strip operation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Another reservist heading to Israel’s southern front, confronting Hamas, said, “I returned to my homeland from the United States, where I have my work, life, and family,” and criticized, “At such a critical time, he should not abandon my homeland and our people there. Where is the Prime Minister’s son? Why is he not in Israel?”

Yair is known to have never served as a combat soldier and completed his military service working in the IDF spokesperson’s office. He is currently using social media to share activities of a non-governmental organization supporting war victims and 120,000 Israeli refugees.

Meanwhile, the IDF completed the mobilization of 300,000 reservists within 48 hours of the order and subsequently called up an additional 60,000 over the next 10 days. CNN explained, “Although Israel’s population is only about 9.7 million, the scale of reservist mobilization is comparable to that of the United States and others,” adding, “With some exceptions, all Israeli citizens over 18 must serve as reservists.”

However, not all who return to the homeland for reservist duty are sent to the front lines; many are reported to be volunteering for activities with the IDF and non-governmental organizations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.