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.
“This is not a clash of civilizations,” he said to applause at the opening, describing a world in upheaval. “It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization.”
On the ICC submission... I can confirm the government will not be pursuing (the proposal) in line with our long-standing position that this is a matter for the court to decide on, says spokesperson.
The speech in Congress was nice, but Israelis want action and change. That does not come in a speech.
Harris surprised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and those close to him by issuing her statement, which she also placed on X shortly after her hour-long meeting with him.
Netanyahu meets Biden and Harris • Officials accuse Israel of changing ceasefire plans • Hamas official dies in Israeli prison
President Biden withdrew from the elections, endorsing Kamala Harris, while reaffirming his strong, consistent support for Israel throughout his tenure.
“To everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you, and I hear you,” Harris said.
Directly after that conversation, the two leaders will meet a small group of relatives of the hostages and freed captives at the White House.
Stuck in the middle of these political vicissitudes are the families of the 115 remaining hostages, dead and alive.
“From a proud Israeli Zionist to a proud Irish American Zionist, I want to thank you for fifty years of public service and fifty years of support for the state of Israel.
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