"Entebbe gave a lesson that defeating terrorism is possible": Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar on operation marking 50 years
New Delhi, July 1
Marking 50 years of Operation Entebbe, Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said that the 1976 rescue mission remains a defining example in the global fight against terrorism, stressing that it demonstrated that terrorism can be defeated through determination, teamwork and innovation.
Speaking to ANI, Azar called Operation Entebbe an "inspiring moment" in history, saying it reflected Israel's unwavering commitment to not surrender to terrorism and to do everything possible to rescue innocent civilians held hostage.
He said, "It was an inspiring moment in history, especially in the struggle against terrorism - a commitment not to surrender to terrorism and to do whatever it takes with conviction, teamwork, imagination, and creativity to bring back innocent civilians who have been taken hostage."
"Since then, terrorism has developed in very dangerous ways. But we are here to continue the combat against terrorism because we know who to draw a lesson from. No doubt that Entebbe gave a lesson to us and to the world that defeating terrorism is possible," he added.
Highlighting the evolution of international counter-terrorism efforts over the past five decades, the envoy said many countries have adopted similar approaches and that Israel has strengthened cooperation with partners worldwide in areas such as technology, intelligence-sharing, tactical development and joint training.
Azar also underscored the growing counter-terrorism partnership between India and Israel, saying bilateral cooperation in the field continues to deepen.
He said, "Since then, many countries have adopted similar approaches. We have been working with many partners around the world to develop the technologies that are needed to develop the tactics, to do joint training, to gather intelligence, etc. We are very satisfied that we have very good counter-terrorism cooperation with India, and we are upgrading it all the time. We just had here last week the visit of our Director General of the Ministry of Defense, and we are moving forward to develop the solutions that we need to meet the challenges of the future."
Operation Entebbe (officially codenamed Operation Thunderbolt, and later retroactively named Operation Yonatan) was a highly sophisticated, long-range hostage rescue mission executed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on July 3-4, 1976, at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The mission successfully freed 102 out of 106 remaining hostages, marking one of the most celebrated counter-terrorism achievements in modern military history.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Inspiring story. But I wish more focus was also given to diplomatic solutions. Military operations have their place, but lasting peace requires dialogue. Still, hats off to the bravery shown by Israeli commandos. And good to see India-Israel ties growing stronger.
Absolutely! Entebbe proved that terrorism can be defeated with the right mindset. India too has faced decades of cross-border terrorism. We need similar resolve. Let's hope our strategic partnership with Israel yields more joint training and tech exchanges. 🇮🇳🤝🇮🇱
Interesting to hear the Israeli perspective. It's true that Entebbe was a landmark moment. But let's remember that the political context in 1976 was different—Uganda was ruled by a dictator. Today's terror networks are more decentralized. Still, the core lesson of determination holds.
Indians will never forget our own 26/11 attacks. We need that same Entebbe-style decisiveness. Our security agencies are improving but there's always room for more intelligence-sharing and quicker response. Kudos to the envoy for highlighting this timeless lesson.
A fitting commemoration. But the fight against terrorism must also address root causes—poverty, extremism, and political grievances. Military success alone isn't enough. Glad India and Israel are partnering, but let's ensure it's part of a holistic approach. Food for thought.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.