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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Atarot Cultural Center together with his wife Sara Netanyahu, Culture Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.

The ceremony was held as part of events marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, carried out at Uganda's Entebbe Airport in 1976 and regarded as a significant event in Israel's history.

A heritage center commemorating the operation is planned for the historic terminal building in Atarot. In his remarks, Netanyahu emphasized the development of Jerusalem, saying the Atarot area holds strategic importance for the future of the capital and that the Israeli government will continue its efforts to preserve Jerusalem's unity and develop the northern part of the city.

Netanyahu also recalled that Atarot had once been a major center for aviation activities and highlighted Israel's achievements in both civil and military aviation.

He said Operation Entebbe strengthened Israel's international standing and noted that the memory of the operation's heroes, including his late brother Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed during the mission, would be preserved at the new center.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also referred to Atarot's historical settlement heritage, stating that efforts to revitalize the area and promote its economic development would continue.