International
oi-Ashish Rana
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s eldest son Yair Netanyahu has reportedly changed his name to ‘Yonatan Hun’, according to the official records. The change in the name made buzz after recently filling government documents, replacing his birth name while retaining the same identification number.
Yair Netanyahu, eldest son of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, legally changed his name to Yonatan Hun, honoring his late uncle and maternal grandfather; the change is noted in 2024 records amid his Florida residency which has drawn criticism.
New Official Records Show Legal Name Change
According to the reports, the tax documents from 2024 to till now carried the same name Yair Netanyahu, however, in the recent updated forms show the podcaster and activist has legally changed his name to ‘Yonatan Hun’. The official records also shows his residential address as ‘Balfour O’, making a satire to PM Netanyahu’s official residence in Balfour Street in Jerusalem.
Yair has previously used his name ‘Yair Hoon’ on some of his social media accounts, however, the official documents have established his name under the new Israeli law. Reportedly, the newly adopted name is a tribute to prominent names of Netanyahu family.
Meaning Behind The Name ‘Yonatan Hun’
He took the first name ‘Yonatan’ from his late uncle Yonatan Yoni Netanyahu, who was Israeli commander in 1976 Operation Entebbe, which was a hostage rescue mission in Uganda and he sacrified his life in the mission. He has been regarded as the national hero of Israel.
Although, his surname ‘Hun’ has been taken from his maternal grandfather, Shmuel Ben-Artzi, before immigration to ISrael and taking surname Ben-Artzi, he was famously known as Samuel Hun.
According to the Israeli regulations, a person cannot reverse his name at least for seven years after making the change for long-term legal commitment.
Move Sparks Debate Amid Residence In Florida
Yair Netanayahu’s name changing initiative has actually raised a question for him as he has been living in Florida, since late 2023, in the time when Israel has asked hundreds of thousands of military reservists, but his decision to stay abroad has drew criticism. Since the time he has been living in Israel it has become a political issue, and it becomes a question why he left the country in this crucial phase.
According to the reports, Yair has registered himself with Israeli tax and social security authorities as a self-employed person in the advertising field. Also, he has established a lecture-delivery business in Connecticut.
