Haaretz reports that the Israeli Prime Minister’s son has legally changed his name, while continuing to use his original identity publicly.
July 12, 2026: Yair Netanyahu, the eldest son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly changed his legal name to Yonatan Hun, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The publication cited Israeli tax records showing that his 2026 filings were submitted under the new name while retaining the same identification number and residential address used in previous records. The reported change has sparked speculation, as Yair Netanyahu continues to use his original name on social media and has not publicly explained the decision.
According to the report, the legal name now appears as Yonatan Hun in official tax documents. In Israel, legal name changes generally cannot be reversed for seven years, making the move a significant one. Haaretz noted that it remains unclear whether Netanyahu intends to use the new identity publicly or whether the change was made for personal or administrative reasons. The name Yonatan carries symbolic importance, as it was the name of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s late brother, Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, who was killed while leading the 1976 Operation Entebbe hostage rescue mission and is widely regarded as a national hero in Israel.
The report also claimed that recent photographs shared by Yair Netanyahu on social media have led to speculation that he may have undergone cosmetic procedures over the past year. However, neither Yair Netanyahu nor his representatives have commented on the reported name change or the claims regarding his appearance. No official explanation has been provided, and the reasons behind the reported legal change remain unknown.