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'Where is he': Benjamin Netanyahu's son Yair stays in US amid Hamas war

Israel-Hamas War: Yair Netanyahu moved to Florida earlier this year.

Updated on: Oct 25, 2023, 19:18:04 IST
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Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son Yair's absence from the country amid its war with Hamas drew ire at a time when nearly 4 lakh young Israelis have joined the figh in the wake of the October 7 attacks. The attacks on Israel's cities have left about 1,400 dead while Tel Aviv's retaliation has killed over 5,000 in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second from left, and son Yair, left, pose for a photo in Tel Aviv. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, second from left, and son Yair, left, pose for a photo in Tel Aviv. (AP)

Yair Netanyahu moved to Florida earlier this year. His photo on a beach was widely shared on social media as many claimed that he is enjoying in Miami while Israelis fly home to join the war against Hamas.

One of the volunteers stationed on Israel's northern front told The Times, “Yair is enjoying his life at Miami Beach while I'm on the front lines. It's us who are leaving our work, our families, our kids, to protect our families back home and the country, not the people who are responsible for this situation.”

Read more: ‘Enemy is a disease with no cure, except beheading’: Israel shows Hamas' note

Another soldier serving on the border said, "I've flown back from the States where I have a job, a life, my family. There is no way I can stay there and abandon my country, my people, at this critical time. Where is the prime minister's son? Why isn't he in Israel?"

"It is the most uniting moment for us as Israelis in our recent history and every single one of us should be here right now, including the prime minister's son," he told The Times.

Yair Netanyahu is a podcaster by profession. A staunch defender of his father, Yair has often courted controversy by his anti-Islamic social media posts. In 2018, his Facebook account was blocked for 24 hours after he posted that there will be no peace in Israel till "all Muslims leave". Earlier he was courted controversy when he was seen in a video outside a strip club in which he was heard suggesting how his father allegedly pushed through a $20billion gas deal for the benefit of a business tycoon.

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