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Why did veterans of Israel’s most famous secret operation boycott its commemoration?
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 13, 2026
· 5 min read
By Tal Shalev, CNN
(CNN) — The commemoration of Israel’s most famous military operation should have been a moment to celebrate for Matan Vilnai. Instead, the deputy commander of the Entebbe raid – in which commandos rescued 102 hostages – boycotted the ceremony, along with many of the soldiers ...
Key takeaway I haven’t celebrated since October 7,” Vilnai, a retired general from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told CNN.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The boycott of the Entebbe raid commemoration by its own veterans has local implications for El Paso 's Jewish community, who may be watching the developments in Israel with interest. The Entebbe operation is often cited as an example of bravery and selflessness, and its legacy may be felt in local discussions about national security and community protection. As El Pasoans consider the complexities of international relations and the role of military operations in protecting citizens, the controversy surrounding the commemoration serves as a reminder that even celebrated events can be nuanced and multifaceted. The city's own experiences with border security and international cooperation may inform local perspectives on the Entebbe raid and its ongoing impact on Israeli politics. El Pasoans may be interested in exploring how the legacy of the Entebbe operation is perceived and debated in different communities, and what this reveals about the complexities of national identity and security.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? By Tal Shalev, CNN
(CNN) — The commemoration of Israel’s most famous military operation should have been a moment to celebrate for Matan Vilnai. Instead, the deputy commander of the Entebbe raid – in which commandos rescued 102 hostages – boycotted the ceremony, along with many of the soldiers ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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