As the Iran-Israel conflict escalates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared how the war is affecting his family. Speaking outside the Soroka hospital in Beersheba, which had just been hit by a missile, Netanyahu revealed that his son Avner’s wedding was postponed for the second time.

He noted that “each of us bears a personal cost,” and his family “has not been exempt.” Netanyahu also praised his wife, calling her “a hero” and saying she, too, was under strain.

He Compares Situation to the WWII Blitz

Netanyahu compared Israel’s current struggle to Britain’s wartime suffering, saying, “It reminds me of the British people during the Blitz. We are going through a blitz.”
He acknowledged that many have suffered more, adding, “There are people who were killed, families who grieved loved ones, I appreciate that.”

So far, Israeli officials have confirmed 25 civilian deaths, while Washington-based human rights groups estimate 263 civilian deaths in Iran.

Critics Say Remarks Were Insensitive

However, Netanyahu's comments quickly sparked criticism. Many said the prime minister focused too much on his personal issues while the entire country is struggling.

Anat Angrest, whose son Matan has been held hostage since October 7, wrote on X, “I have been in the hellish dungeons of Gaza for 622 days now.”
She added, “The suffering didn’t go unnoticed by my family either.”

Wedding Delay Happens Again

Avner’s wedding was originally scheduled for November last year, but the family postponed it due to security threats. They rescheduled it for Monday, yet they had to cancel it again because of planned opposition protests.

Knesset Member Slams Netanyahu

The backlash intensified when Gilad Kariv, a Democratic member of the Knesset, called Netanyahu a “borderless narcissist.” Kariv argued that many families never got a second chance to celebrate, saying, “I know many families who were not forced to postpone a wedding, but who will now never celebrate the weddings that were once meant to take place.”

He also questioned Netanyahu’s praise for Sara, stating, “The doctors who leave home for night shifts are the heroes. The teachers who keep our children together on Zoom and phone calls are the heroes.”
Kariv further added that Sara Netanyahu is known for her “expensive taste,” implying the praise was misplaced.