'Unworthy': Backlash Mounts Against Sara Netanyahu Over Alleged 'Let the Country Burn' Remark
Key witness Hadas Klein has launched a fierce campaign against Sara Netanyahu being chosen to light a torch on Independence Day. Citing past legal convictions and unverified reports of the PM's wife saying "let the country burn," Klein argues the move would insult Israeli citizens.
Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing a wave of public criticism following reports that she may be nominated to light a torch at the upcoming Independence Day ceremony. The controversy was reignited by Hadas Klein, a key witness in "Case 1000" and former personal assistant to Arnon Milchan and James Packer.
Klein sent an official letter on Thursday to Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who oversees the national ceremony. In the letter, Klein argued that Mrs. Netanyahu is "unworthy" of the honor, citing past allegations and legal history.
Klein’s protest comes in response to a request by MK Sasson Guetta to "open a window" for Sara Netanyahu’s late candidacy for the torch-lighting honor.
In her appeal, Klein referenced a widely publicized (though unproven) quote attributed to Sara Netanyahu from 2002:
"In this country, does everyone want to be slaughtered and burned? Why should [Benjamin Netanyahu] make such an effort? Let’s move abroad; let this country burn."
Klein wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Should someone who threatens to leave the country and let it burn, someone convicted of exploiting the mistakes of others and currently under investigation for witness harassment, be the one to light a torch?"
The post quickly went viral, with many users joining the call to block the nomination. Prominent legal journalist Aviad Glickman shared Klein's post, simply adding: "She’s right."
It is important to emphasize that the specific quote "let the country burn" has never been verified or proven with a recording or transcript. Mrs. Netanyahu and her representatives have historically denied that she ever made such statements.