Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu plans lavish wedding for son Avner as Gaza starves to death

As millions of Palestinians starve in war-torn Gaza, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is all set to host a lavish wedding for his son Avner Netanyahu, according to reports. The wedding, which will be attended by family, friends and notable public figures, will be held on June 16.

Avner Netanyahu, a relatively unknown figure in Israel unlike the Prime Minister's elder son Yair Netanyahu, is set to marry his partner Amit Yardeni, according to Ynet News. The couple's engagement was announced last November.  

The wedding, expected to draw VIPs in Israel, has sparked protests for its lavishness especially due to the war-like situation in the country. The couple had a lavish pre-wedding ceremony in Israel, which had Netanyahu and his wife attending it. The footage showing the Prime Minister triggered widespread protest as Netanyahu had earlier claimed that he would not attend the ceremony.

Protests

While some argue that Avner, like any other citizen, has the right to celebrate his wedding as per his wish, others feel that the timing and extravagance of the event as deeply out of touch—especially during a time of war.

Many groups have announced plans to hold demonstrations outside the wedding venue. Activists are reportedly organising motorcades to disrupt guest arrivals and plan to distribute copies of magnets bearing images of hostages, according to Ynet News.

According to a protester, their intention was not to ruin the wedding. "We couldn't even if we wanted to," he told Ynet News, adding that the protest wasn't about the marriage itself, but what the celebration symbolises during the war when many people, especially soldiers, had to go for modest, makeshift weddings.

"It’s about the disconnection and arrogance. While reservists got married on wooden crates, he’s hosting a grand event at the country’s most luxurious venue," the protester added.

Gaza hunger

Ironically, the lavish wedding happens when the a UN-backed assessment states that Gaza's entire population is at "critical risk" of famine. Over two million people are in "desperate need" of food, according to reports.

World Food Programme spokesperson Abeer Etefa told the BBC that though they had been able to distribute food trucks, it was still not at the quantities enough to "calm the situation and control the chaos".