Netanyahu Slammed: 5 Shocking Reactions to His Son’s Wedding Delay Being Compared to ‘Personal Cost of War
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu sparks outrage after comparing his son’s wedding delay to the ‘personal cost of war.’ Here are 5 powerful reactions and why critics are calling it tone-deaf
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.
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.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently equated the postponement of his son Avner’s wedding to the “personal cost” of Israel’s ongoing war with Iran Speaking at the bombed-out Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on June 19–20, Netanyahu drew powerful imagery:
“Each of us bears a personal cost, and my family has not been exempt… This is the second time my son Avner has cancelled a wedding due to missile threats. It is a personal cost for his fiancée… my dear wife is a hero.”
He likened the missile barrage to Britain’s WWII Blitz, underscoring collective sacrifice—but faced immediate criticism for foregrounding personal privilege amid national tragedy.. As Iran launched deadly missile strikes on Israeli cities, Netanyahu expressed solidarity with citizens—then highlighted his own family’s forfeited joy. That personal narrative ignited fierce backlash, with critics accusing him of tone-deafness at a perilous time.
Families who lost loved ones or have hostages criticized the remark as insensitive—and narcissistic . Anat Angrest, whose son has been held hostage for over 600 days, commented: “I have been in the hellish dungeons of Gaza… I have no wedding to cancel.”
Knesset member Gilad Kariv dubbed the PM a “borderless narcissist”, emphasizing that essential workers—not politicians—embody true heroism during wartime
24 Israeli civilians have died from Iranian strikes, while activists estimate 263 Iranian civilian casualties
Critics argue that emphasizing a canceled wedding trivializes the far graver losses: death, destruction, hostage crises, and medical emergencies amid active conflict.
In November 2024, it was delayed fearing Hezbollah drone strikes targeting Netanyahu’s residence
A second postponement occurred in June 2025 amid ongoing missile threats
Despite the war backdrop, the wedding—held at upscale Ronit Farm—sparked further criticism. Protesters threatened to block roads, use airhorns, and distribute hostage images to guilt attendees . Critics suggest it symbolizes political and social disconnect.
Citizens expect leaders to display selflessness during wartime. Highlighting personal privilege during collective trauma felt disconnected and self-serving.Netanyahu has been pressured for his handling of multiple fronts—hostages in Gaza, civilian casualties, and multiple wars with Iran and Hezbollah. This personal commentary seemed to eclipse these broader crises
Netanyahu already faces declining public support—with polls suggesting majority calls for his resignation . This remark added new momentum to criticism from non-war-related governance, corruption trials, and democratic concerns.
Skeptics pointed out, “We have lost weddings forever—some families never got to celebrate at all.”
Politicians emphasized the contrast: healthcare workers, teachers, reservists are risking life with no opportunity to cancel a wedding and attend.
The reference to Sara Netanyahu as hero further enraged critics who argue that heroes are frontline nurses and educators—those truly preserving society
Judicial protests, corruption trials, and global criticism over Gaza intensify the pressure
Personalizing war’s cost is often used to galvanize support—but here it backfired, being seen as a sign of out-of-touch elitism.Groups like Ami Dror’s protest groups are capitalizing on symbolic events like this wedding to rally public dissent
