Murder of Dora Bloch

Murder of Dora Bloch was a significant and tragic event that occurred in the aftermath of the Entebbe Raid, also known as Operation Entebbe, in 1976. Dora Bloch, a British-Israeli dual citizen, was one of the hostages taken by terrorists during the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 from Tel Aviv to Paris, which was diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. The incident led to a highly publicized rescue operation by Israeli commandos. However, Bloch's murder occurred in the days following the raid, highlighting the brutalities associated with state-sponsored terrorism and the complexities of international diplomacy and military intervention.

Background

On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139, carrying 248 passengers, was hijacked by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - External Operations (PFLP-EO) and two members of the German Revolutionary Cells. The plane was diverted to Entebbe Airport in Uganda, where the hijackers were supported by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. The hijackers separated the Israeli and Jewish passengers from the others, releasing the non-Jewish passengers and keeping 94 Jewish passengers and the 12-member Air France crew as hostages.

The Entebbe Raid

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a daring rescue operation on July 4, 1976, known as Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt. The operation successfully rescued 102 hostages. However, Dora Bloch, a 75-year-old hostage, had been taken to Mulago Hospital in Kampala after choking on a piece of food, was not rescued. Following the raid, all the remaining hostages were released except for Bloch.

Murder of Dora Bloch

After the successful Israeli commando raid, Ugandan soldiers, acting under orders from Idi Amin, went to Mulago Hospital and murdered Dora Bloch. Her death was a direct act of retaliation by the Ugandan regime against the Israeli rescue operation. The exact circumstances of her murder remain murky, but it is widely believed that she was killed on or around July 4, 1976. Her body was not found until 1979, after the fall of Idi Amin's regime.

Aftermath and International Reaction

The murder of Dora Bloch caused international outrage, further isolating Uganda under Idi Amin's rule. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by hostages in international crises and the lengths to which terrorist-supporting regimes might go to retaliate against rescue efforts. It also underscored the risks involved in military operations to free hostages but demonstrated the lengths to which the Israeli government was willing to go to protect its citizens.

Legacy

The murder of Dora Bloch remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of terrorism and political violence. It has been commemorated in various ways, including books, documentaries, and memorials, as part of the larger narrative of the Entebbe Raid. The event has also been studied in the context of international relations, counter-terrorism, and military ethics.

Murder of Dora Bloch Resources
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