Erel Shalit

Benjamin Netanyahu, born in 1949, has had a long and impactful career in Israeli politics. He has served as Prime Minister of Israel multiple times, beginning in 1996 and continuing with extended periods from 2009 to 2021 and again from 2022 to the present, making him the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history.

His early life included periods of residence in both Israel and the United States. He served in the elite Sayeret Matkal special forces unit of the Israel Defense Forces and later pursued higher education in the US, earning degrees from MIT. After returning to Israel, he founded The Jonathan Institute and held diplomatic positions, including ambassador to the United Nations. Netanyahu rose to national prominence as the leader of the Likud party and has been a central figure in Israeli politics through various elections and coalition formations. His premierships have been associated with significant geopolitical developments, domestic policy initiatives, and considerable international scrutiny.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1949, Benjamin Netanyahu spent parts of his childhood in Jerusalem and the United States. His father, Benzion Netanyahu, was a historian, and his paternal grandfather was a rabbi and writer. After returning to Israel in 1967, Netanyahu enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, serving for five years in the Sayeret Matkal special forces unit. During his service, he participated in numerous cross-border operations and was wounded on several occasions. He was involved in significant missions, including the rescue of Sabena Flight 571. He was discharged from active duty in 1972 but remained in the reserves, returning briefly in 1973 to serve in the Yom Kippur War.

Netanyahu studied architecture and management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), also pursuing doctoral studies in political science. He briefly used the name Ben Nitay during this period. After graduating, he worked as an economic consultant for the Boston Consulting Group between 1976 and 1978. He returned to Israel in 1978 and led the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. He later served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. and from 1984 to 1988, he was Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. During the 1980s, he developed relationships with Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson and Fred Trump.

Netanyahu became the chairman of the Likud party in 1993, subsequently becoming the leader of the opposition. He was first elected Prime Minister in 1996, becoming the first to be directly elected by popular vote. After a defeat in 1999, he re-entered politics, leading Likud again in 2005 and serving as opposition leader before becoming Prime Minister once more following the 2009 elections. His tenure has been marked by significant foreign policy achievements, including brokering the Abraham Accords, and by domestic policy debates, including judicial reform. He has faced numerous political crises, indictments on corruption charges, and widespread protests throughout his various terms.