Netanyahu Draws Flak For Equating Son’s Postponed Wedding With War Deaths: 'Personal Cost For His Fiancée Too'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense backlash online following comments he made about postponing his son's wedding amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Many have condemned the leader for equating his "personal price" with the loss of lives in the ongoing conflict.

Speaking in front of the missile-struck Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, Netanyahu reflected on his family's sacrifices and drew a parallel with the British Blitz, according to The Guardian.

"Each of us bears a personal cost, and my family has not been exempt," said the Israeli Prime Minister. "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, and she bears a personal cost," he added.

He went on to acknowledge the lives lost in the current hostilities with Iran, saying, "There are people who were killed... families who mourned the loss of their loved ones. I really appreciate that."

Avner Netanyahu's wedding had originally been scheduled for November but was postponed for security reasons. It was then rescheduled for Monday (17 June), despite warnings of possible opposition protests.

While commenting on the broader impact of the conflict, Netanyahu also referenced World War II: "It really reminds me of the British people during the blitz. We are going through a blitz," he said, referring to the Nazi bombing campaign that killed more than 40,000 civilians in Britain.

Among those who reacted strongly was Anat Angrest, whose son Matan has been held hostage in Gaza since Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. "I have been in the hellish dungeons of Gaza for 622 days now," Angrest posted on X.

At least two dozen Israeli civilians have lost their lives in the conflict with Iran, while Tehran has reported over 585 fatalities.

Now in its eighth day, the violence shows no sign of abating, with both nations launching waves of missile strikes. Israel has targeted Iran's nuclear infrastructure, while Tehran retaliated using cluster munitions - reportedly for the first time - in attacks that included damage to an Israeli hospital.

Meanwhile, the White House has stated that US President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the United States will launch an attack on Iran. It also warned that Iran could potentially develop a nuclear weapon within weeks, should Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei give the go-ahead.