Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister of Israel since its inception.
Born in Tel Aviv on October 21, 1949, he grew up in Jerusalem before moving with his family to Pennsylvania during his high school years, where his father taught history. In 1967 Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the IDF's Sayeret Matkal special forces unit, where he served until 1973.
He took part in many military operations, including a 1972 rescue mission of hostages in a hijacked Sabena airplane, during which he was shot in the shoulder. Netanyahu finished his military service in 1972, but returned to serve in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, after which he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
His brother Yonatan "Yoni," an IDF officer, was killed during Operation Entebbe in 1976 at the Entebbe Airport in Uganda where Israelis were being held hostage. His was the only death resulting from the mission.
He has degrees in architecture and business management from MIT. He also studied political science at MIT and Harvard University. He served as Israel's ambassador to the UN from 1984-1988, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Ariel Sharon's government.
In 1993 Netanyahu was elected Likud party chairman and served as the leader of the opposition until being elected prime minister in 1996. In 2009, he was elected prime minister for the second time, in January 2013 a third, and in March 2015 a fourth.
He is married to Sara Netanyahu with whom he has two children, Yair and Avner.
In 2018, the Mossad stole Iran's nuclear archive. Netanyahu later presented the information to the international community. Netanyahu strongly opposes a nuclear deal with Iran.
Under the rotation government set by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Netanyahu serves as the leader of the opposition.
Israeli deterrence in Iran is absent, while Iranian deterrence in Israel is strong. This is what Netanyahu might say as an opposition leader.
Exploring Israel's complex challenges, from military actions to diplomatic tensions, hostage crises, and domestic instability, amid hopes for a peaceful Passover.
The war cabinet met on Sunday evening for the first time in 12 days to discuss the issue of the hostages.
Families of hostages plan Passover Seder protest outside Netanyahu's home, demanding their release; nationwide rallies criticize the government's handling of the situation.
“At a time when our soldiers are fighting terrorist monsters, the intention to sanction a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low,” Netanyahu wrote in a post on X.
The US House overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting Israel's right to respond to Iranian aggression. Some Democrats criticized Netanyahu's actions, fearing broader conflict.
The government, and especially the cabinet, must abandon the paralysis of indecision and chart a decisive course. Failure to do so will imperil the State of Israel and all its citizens.
Avigdor Liberman accused Netanyahu of seeking Palestinian state recognition, blaming him for the October 7 incident to distract from the Saudi agreement.
The White House avoids comment on Israel's strike on Isfahan, emphasizing deescalation. Press Secretary Jean-Pierre condemns rising antisemitism, stressing free speech on campuses.
The survey also highlights a tightening race for Prime Minister, with Benny Gantz receiving 42% of the support compared to Benjamin Netanyahu's 37%.
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