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Benjamin Netanyahu, often referred to as "Bibi," is a prominent Israeli politician who has had a profound impact on the country's political landscape for several decades. Born on October 21, 1949, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Netanyahu has served multiple terms as the country's prime minister, making him Israel's longest-serving leader. His tenure in office, marked by both domestic and international achievements, has also been fraught with controversy, particularly regarding his policies toward the Palestinians, his handling of Israel's economy, and various corruption charges. To understand Netanyahu’s significance, it is crucial to explore his background, political ideology, key policies, and influence on Israel and the wider Middle East.

Early Life and Military Career

Benjamin Netanyahu was born into a prominent Zionist family. His father, Benzion Netanyahu, was a historian and ardent supporter of the revisionist Zionist movement, which sought to establish a Jewish state encompassing all of historic Palestine, including both sides of the Jordan River. This background significantly influenced Netanyahu's political outlook and commitment to a strong, secure Israel.

Netanyahu spent part of his youth in the United States, where his father worked as a professor. He attended high school in Philadelphia and later enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned degrees in architecture and business management. This experience abroad helped shape his ability to communicate fluently in English, making him a formidable figure on the international stage.

Before his academic career, Netanyahu served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), joining the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit. He took part in several high-profile missions, including the rescue of hostages during a 1972 hijacking of a Belgian plane. His military career was cut short when his older brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed during Operation Entebbe, a famous raid to rescue Israeli hostages in Uganda in 1976. Yonatan’s death had a lasting effect on Benjamin Netanyahu, reinforcing his belief in the necessity of a strong military defense for Israel’s survival.

Entry into Politics

Netanyahu entered the political arena in the early 1980s, serving as Israel’s deputy chief of mission to the United States from 1982 to 1984. He quickly rose through the ranks of the right-wing Likud party, a political faction rooted in the revisionist Zionist movement his father supported. Netanyahu's first prominent political position was as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations from 1984 to 1988. During this period, he honed his skills in diplomacy and public speaking, presenting Israel’s case to the international community, particularly in the context of rising tensions with the Palestinians and the broader Arab world.

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) as a member of Likud. His political career gained momentum in the early 1990s when he became the party’s leader following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Netanyahu, running on a platform of security and opposition to the Oslo Accords—which sought to advance the peace process with the Palestinians—won the 1996 elections, becoming Israel’s youngest-ever prime minister at the age of 46.

First Term as Prime Minister (1996–1999)

Netanyahu’s first term as prime minister was marked by significant challenges and controversies. He faced criticism both domestically and internationally for his handling of the peace process with the Palestinians. While he initially maintained Israel’s commitment to the Oslo Accords, his government was more skeptical of Palestinian intentions, and progress on key issues like the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in the West Bank stalled.

During his first term, Netanyahu also faced tensions within his governing coalition, composed of right-wing, religious, and centrist parties. His government struggled to balance the interests of these factions, leading to frequent internal disputes. In 1999, amid growing public dissatisfaction and internal party strife, Netanyahu lost the election to Ehud Barak, a leader of the center-left Labor Party. He temporarily retired from politics, only to return a few years later.

Return to Power and Subsequent Terms

Netanyahu's political comeback began in 2002 when he was appointed finance minister under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. In this role, he implemented a series of neoliberal economic reforms, including tax cuts, privatizations, and reductions in social spending. These policies were praised by some for revitalizing Israel's economy but criticized by others for increasing income inequality and harming the social safety net.

In 2005, Netanyahu resigned from the government in protest against Sharon’s decision to unilaterally withdraw Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip. This withdrawal, part of the Disengagement Plan, was a turning point in Israeli politics and Netanyahu’s career. Sharon eventually left Likud to form a new party, Kadima, and Netanyahu once again became the leader of Likud.

In 2009, after a period in opposition, Netanyahu was elected prime minister for a second time. His return to power marked the beginning of an extended period of dominance in Israeli politics, as he went on to win elections in 2013, 2015, and 2020, serving as prime minister for a total of over 15 years, longer than any other Israeli leader.

Policies and Leadership Style

Netanyahu's political ideology is shaped by his commitment to security and skepticism about the prospects for a lasting peace with the Palestinians. Throughout his career, he has prioritized a strong national defense, often arguing that Israel must rely on its military strength to deter its enemies. This approach has led to frequent clashes with the Palestinians and other regional actors, including Iran, which Netanyahu views as Israel’s most significant strategic threat.

Under Netanyahu, Israel has pursued a policy of expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a move that has been condemned by many in the international community as an obstacle to peace. Netanyahu has argued that these settlements are necessary for Israel's security and reflect the historical Jewish connection to the land. His government has also taken a hardline stance against Palestinian violence, launching military operations in Gaza in response to rocket attacks and maintaining a blockade on the territory to prevent arms smuggling.

On the international stage, Netanyahu has been a staunch advocate for Israel’s right to defend itself and has worked to strengthen Israel’s alliances with Western powers, particularly the United States. His relationship with U.S. presidents has varied over the years, but he enjoyed particularly close ties with President Donald Trump, who recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the U.S. embassy there in 2018, a significant diplomatic victory for Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has also been a vocal critic of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which he argued would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He lobbied extensively against the agreement, including a controversial speech to the U.S. Congress in 2015, which strained relations with the Obama administration. Netanyahu’s opposition to the deal and his broader foreign policy approach have earned him both praise and criticism, with some viewing him as a protector of Israel's security and others accusing him of undermining prospects for regional stability.

Economic and Domestic Policies

Domestically, Netanyahu’s economic policies have focused on fostering economic growth through free-market reforms. During his time as finance minister and later as prime minister, Israel experienced significant economic growth, particularly in the high-tech sector, which has become a key driver of the country’s economy. However, his economic policies have also been criticized for widening the gap between rich and poor, and housing prices have soared under his leadership, leading to widespread protests in 2011.

Netanyahu’s political survival has also been attributed to his ability to form coalitions with a diverse range of political parties, from secular nationalists to ultra-Orthodox religious groups. This pragmatism has allowed him to maintain power for extended periods, despite frequent political crises and challenges from within his own party.

Legal Troubles and Corruption Charges

In recent years, Netanyahu has faced mounting legal challenges. He has been indicted on multiple charges of corruption, including allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. These charges stem from several cases, including accusations that he accepted expensive gifts from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors and that he sought to manipulate media coverage to benefit his political career.

Netanyahu has denied all the charges, claiming that they are part of a politically motivated "witch hunt" orchestrated by his opponents and the media. Despite these legal troubles, he has remained a dominant force in Israeli politics, even as public opinion has become increasingly divided over his leadership.

Legacy and Influence

Benjamin Netanyahu’s legacy is one of both achievement and controversy. His supporters credit him with enhancing Israel’s security, fostering economic growth, and successfully navigating a hostile regional environment. They argue that his policies have helped Israel maintain its status as a thriving democracy in a turbulent region.

Critics, however, accuse Netanyahu of undermining the prospects for peace with the Palestinians, exacerbating social inequality, and fostering a culture of political corruption. His hardline policies on settlements and security have deepened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and his efforts to weaken the judiciary and media have raised concerns about the state of Israeli democracy.

Regardless of these criticisms, Netanyahu’s impact on Israeli politics is undeniable. His ability to remain in power for so long, his influence on Israel’s foreign and domestic policies, and his central role in shaping the country’s political discourse make him one of the most significant figures in modern Israeli history. His legacy will likely continue to shape Israeli politics for years to come, whether he remains in power or eventually steps aside.