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.
The ban led to a strain in relations, although a French court overturned a government ban in October on Israeli companies taking part in a naval arms exhibition near Paris.
The selection process began rather quickly following current IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's announcement to resign last week.
Civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud among six to be released this week • Israel will allow returns of Gazans to north
Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, and Naama Levy released from Hamas captivity • IDF: Concern over Bibas family's wellbeing
The government must follow Halevi's suit and commit to a rigorous independent investigation of the events that led to October 7. Only this can help Israel learn from its mistakes and emerge stronger.
Netanyahu contracted the infection following surgery, which removed his prostate in December after a non-malignant lump was discovered.
Week one of Trump's presidency reveals a dual approach: public backing for Israel through executive orders while pressuring Netanyahu behind the scenes on the hostage deal and Lebanon.
Rubio "pledged to work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages held in Gaza."
Justice Min. releases two add'l names of prisoners to be released • IDF conducts Jenin op. • IDF to stay in Lebanon post-ceasefire
“Don’t say Hess to Nazi accusations! Some people will Goebbels anything down! Stop Gőring your enemies! His pronouns would’ve been He/Himmler! Bet you did nazi that coming,” Musk posted Thursday.
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