Benjamin Netanyahu
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.
Netanyahu in Iran: A leader who met his destiny - opinion
Despite the grave failure of October 7, Netanyahu skillfully leveraged the historical moment to reshape the Middle East and secure the Jewish people’s future.
'Powerful synergy': Netanyahu hails Mossad's cooperation with IDF during Iran war
'Murderer': Protesters yell at convoy as Netanyahu visits Kibbutz for Nir Oz since Oct. 7
Senior Hamas leaders in Doha told to lay down weapons after Trump ceasefire proposal - report
Three men indicted for spying for Iran, two of them agreed to plan assassination plot
They were arrested on the night between June 14 and 15, the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit announced on Monday, with aid from the Shin Bet.
Frustration with our leadership must not lead to our annihilation - editorial
The anger, hurt, disappointment, and frustration in our country are more than valid, but we cannot afford to call for institutional annihilation.
Hamas tortures Gazans in new footage by COGAT, hostages' sign of life videos released
Chaim Rotter named as sexual assault suspect • Senior Hamas leaders in Doha told to lay down weapons • Danish police investigate shipment received by Israeli embassy
Netanyahu visits grave of brother Yoni, killed during 1976's Operation Entebbe
This is the 49th anniversary of Yoni's death, after he was killed in action during Operation Entebbe in 1976, a hostage rescue mission at Entebbe Airport in Uganda.
New suspect in Qatargate case, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Poli Mordechai, brought in for questioning
Mordechai is suspected of transferring hundreds of thousands of shekels from his business to Yonatan Urich, the main suspect in the Qatargate case.
Former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander to meet with President Trump
Alexander’s release was seen as a ‘gesture’ from Hamas to Trump, and the two spoke over the phone shortly after his return to Israel.
Likud ministers call on Netanyahu to apply Israeli sovereignty over W. Bank ahead of Trump visit
"The October 7 massacre proved that the doctrine of settlement blocs and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the remaining territory is an existential danger to Israel."
Hamas expected to respond to hostage deal in next 24 hours after Israel gives green light - sources
"For the first time, there is real optimism that Hamas will say ‘yes,’" two sources familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post.
Eisenkot walks out, Gantz leans in - and bets on compromise - analysis
Gadi Eisenkot's dramatic exit forces Israeli politics to choose between confrontational alliances to defeat Netanyahu or Gantz's revolutionary pivot toward compromise.
'There will be no Hamastan,' Netanyahu declares as terror group reviews US ceasefire proposal
"There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a Hamastan. We're not going back to that. It's over," he said.
Mossad chief Barnea most trusted official among Arab Israelis, IDI poll reveals
In a poll conducted during Operation Rising Lion, the IDI learned that only 40% of Israeli adults have retained trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu