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.

  PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu, draped in a blue and white prayer shawl, stands at the Western Wall on June 22, 2025.
 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director Barnea hold meeting together, July 3, 2025.

'Powerful synergy': Netanyahu hails Mossad's cooperation with IDF during Iran war

 Protestors hold a banner near the entrance to Kibbutz Nir Oz, which is located near the Israel Gaza border and was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023, on the day Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit for the first time since the October 7, 2023 attack, in Nir Oz.

'Murderer': Protesters yell at convoy as Netanyahu visits Kibbutz for Nir Oz since Oct. 7

Palestinian Hamas terrorists keep guard on the day Hamas handed over deceased hostages in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip February 20, 2025.

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. 

 The silhouette of a person, with Iran's flag in the background (illustrative).

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.

Poster of hostage Yonatan Mordechai Samerano during demonstrations for the hostages still held in Gaza.

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

Palestinian Hamas terrorists keep guard on the day Hamas handed over deceased hostages in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip February 20, 2025.

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. 

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the grave of his brother Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

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.

MAJ.-GEN. YOAV (POLY) MORDECHAI (left) shakes hands with Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh after agreeing to renew activities of the Joint Water Committee.

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.

 Edan Alexander, who has been released from captivity by Hamas, after he had been kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, reacts as he reunites with his parents in Reim, southern Israel, before flying to Tel Aviv May 12, 2025.

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."

 Jewish settlers set up tents and Israeli flags outside the village of Bruqin, west of Salfit, in the northern West Bank, May 23, 2025.

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.

 Hostage families and supporters rally, calling for the return of the remaining 50 hostages in Hamas captivity, June 28, 2025.

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.

 National Unity MKs Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot speak in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, March 24, 2025

'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.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu walks near his office in the Knesset last month. The next stage is elections, but the real question isn’t just who will run; it’s what the campaign will be about, says the writer.

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

Mossad director David Barnea seen over a wall of hostage posters in Tel Aviv (illustrative)