The Netanyahu family responded to talkbacks posted on Israeli Web sites on Tuesday suggesting that Yair Netanyahu, the premier's son who was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday, chose to avoid combat service in favor of a non-combatant task.
Unlike his father, Benjamin, and his fallen uncle, Yoni - who boast illustrious military careers in the famed, elite reconnaissance unit Sayeret Matkal - Yair Netanyahu will fulfill his three years of compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Forces Spokespersons Unit.
The Netanyahu family was affronted at the suggestion that Yair Netanyahu dodged combat service. As such, the prime minister's office took the rare step in issuing a statement, something which it customarily refrains from doing in matters related to the Netanyahu family.
"The parents, brothers, and all of Yair Netanyahu's relatives love him, are proud of him, and wish him success during his service in the Israel Defense Forces," the prime minister's office said in the statement.
Associates of the Netanyahus said on Tuesday that Yair Netanyahu has a health condition that precludes him from serving in combat.
My first thought when I saw he wasn't doing combat was that there was a health condition.
Oh please Bibi family can’t win with stupid Israeli media
The Orthodox Jews don't have to serve.