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. 

Shin Bet arrests woman on suspicion of plotting to kill Benjamin Netanyahu - report

The woman, who was arrested two weeks ago, is suspected of planning an attack on the prime minister's life with an improvised explosive device.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025
A view shows the damage at the Holy Family Church which was hit in an Israeli strike on Thursday, in Gaza City July 18, 2025.

IDF: Artillery misfire led to mistaken hit of Gaza church, no punishments for soldiers involved

 Palestinians at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on July 9, 2025

'Portrayed as child executioners': Ex-Mossad official says Gaza war harms Israel's long-term image

 IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip, July 20, 2025.

Woman arrested on suspicion of plotting to kill Netanyahu, IDF says misfire hits Gaza church


Hunter Biden: The worst thing that has happened to Jewish people globally is Israeli gov't

"Bombing the f*** out of whatever remains of Hamas in Gaza and turning it into a golf course like Donald Trump said is not going to work," he stated.

Hunter Biden and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden at a Hanukkah reception at the White House, December 16, 2024; illustrative.

Likud MKs jostle for Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship

With at least six MKs aiming for the position of FADC chairman, including Yuli Edelstein, who's aiming to keep the position, the vote pitted MKs in the party against each other.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Why Likud booting Edelstein will come back to bite it? - analysis

While Edelstein has given no indication of his next political move and has remained loyal to the Likud, it is not inconceivable that he seeks a new political home.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on February 12, 2023.

Netanyahu slams Mamdani on Nelk Boys podcast, which draws criticism for hosting Israeli PM

Benjamin Netanyahu attacked the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, in an appearance on the “Full Send Podcast” with the Nelk Boys on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on an episode of the "Full Send Podcast" recorded in Washington, D.C., on July 8, 2025.

The Netanyahu-Trump dynamic: What aides say amid hope for a hostage deal - opinion

According to aides, Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump regularly have difficulties figuring each other out.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and their teams, attend a dinner at the White House earlier this month. The dynamic between the two leaders has helped ‘to make significant progress,’ said an Israeli source.

Netanyahu's former advisor questioned in Serbia over 'Qatargate,' classified documents affair

Deputy Commissioner Momi Meshulam is currently in Serbia conducting a legal deposition involving Srulik Einhorn, a former Netanyahu advisor.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a backdrop of a Qatari flag.

Trump wants killing to end in 'brutal' Gaza war, White House's Leavitt says

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that Trump was caught off guard by both Israel's strikes in Syria and the bombing of the Catholic church in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 18, 2025

Ambassador Huckabee calls out Israeli ministry on visa obstacles for Christians - interview

Ambassador Huckabee blames Hamas for the impasse in the hostage deal, calls for an investigation in the case of the American Palestinian killed near Sinjil, and praises the US-Israel partnership.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Signing of an MOU on Cooperation in Energy and AI.

Netanyahu's Likud to remove Edelstein from key committee over haredi draft fallout

A replacement for Edelstein on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee may be willing to make concessions that Edelstein was not willing to make, thus allowing the bill to proceed.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Israel has no concrete policy for the Gaza Strip - opinion

Since October 2023, Israel has failed to present any sort of concrete, overall plan for the Gaza Strip's future.

 IDF CHIEF OF STAFF Eyal Zamir speaks at an event for outstanding soldiers, on Independence Day at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, in May. He is opposed to the IDF taking upon itself the administration of the Gaza Strip, says the writer.

Israeli Police will travel to Serbia for legal deposition for 'Qatargate' suspect Einhorn - report

Walla reported that both the Israel Police and the Justice Ministry have refrained from formally approaching Serbian authorities to advance the deposition request. 

 A poster reading "Qatar sponsored the massacre and Netanyahu's office", seen in Tel Aviv. April 20, 2025.