Romney: Ben-Zion Netanyahu’s death is a loss for all of Israel

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, April 30 - Mitt Romney released the following statement on the death of Ben-Zion Netanyahu:

“I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Benzion Netanyahu. Not only was he the father of my friend Benjamin, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the father of Israel’s hero of the Entebbe raid, Yonatan Netanyahu, he was also a distinguished historian and leader in his own right.  This is a loss for all of Israel and for all who care about Israel.”

Benzion Netanyahu in 2007

Republican presidential hopeful Romney and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first met in 1976 at Boston Consulting Group and remained friends, as detailed in a New York Times profile. During the Dec. 10 ABC News Republican primary debate, both Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich tried to best each other in who knows Netanyahu better and would therefore be more knowledgeable in how to handle the situation in the Middle East. Romney discussed their work together and called him his “friend Bibi Netanyahu.” As president, Romney said he would work together with Netanyahu as “partners.”

Ben-Zion Netanyahu died at the age of 102 on Monday at home. He is believed to have had great influence on his son Benjamin’s politics.