Journalism of Courage

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Born 21 October 1949
Age 75
Birth Place Tel Aviv Israel
Profession Diplomat, Management Consultant, Marketing Executive, Politician, Writer
Political Party Likud (since 1988)
In Office Leader Of The Opposition 28 June 2021 - 29 December 2022, 7th Permanent Representative Of Israel To The United Nations 1 September 1984 - 1 March 1988
Residence Beit Aghion, Caesarea, Jerusalem
Awards Jabotinsky Medal (1980)

Other Related Pages:

Likud Since 1988,
Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu BIOGRAPHY

Last Updated : 08 Feb 2025

Benjamin Netanyahu, often referred to by his nickname "Bibi," is a towering figure in Israeli politics, serving as the country's Prime Minister for a total of over 16 years across three non-consecutive terms. His legacy, however, is complex and riddled with both achievements and controversies. Born in Tel Aviv in 1949, Netanyahu's early life was marked by tragedy. His older brother Yonatan, a commando, was killed during the Entebbe raid in 1976, an event that deeply impacted Netanyahu's worldview. He studied architecture and business administration at MIT before returning to Israel, where he served in the military and later entered politics. Netanyahu's political ascent was rapid. He became Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in 1984, where he honed his skills as a skilled communicator and negotiator. In 1993, he was elected leader of the Likud party, the country's center-right political faction. Just three years later, in 1996, he defied expectations to defeat incumbent Prime Minister Shimon Peres, becoming the first directly elected Prime Minister of Israel and the youngest to hold the office at the time. Netanyahu's first term was marked by economic prosperity and relative peace. He implemented neoliberal economic policies that boosted growth and reduced inflation. He also signed the Wye River Agreement with the Palestinian Authority, which brought a period of relative calm to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, his term was not without challenges. The 1997 Hebron massacre, in which a Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli settler, shot and killed 29 Palestinian worshipers in a mosque, tarnished Israel's image internationally and strained relations with the Palestinians. Additionally, Netanyahu's social policies, which favored religious and conservative groups, alienated some segments of Israeli society. Netanyahu lost the 1999 elections to Ehud Barak but remained active in politics as Leader of the Opposition. He criticized Barak's handling of the Second Intifada, a period of intense violence between Israelis and Palestinians, and campaigned on a platform of security and economic stability. Netanyahu returned to power in 2009, capitalizing on public discontent with the economic downturn and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His second and third terms were marked by a focus on security, with Netanyahu authorizing several military operations against Hamas in Gaza. He also expanded settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that drew condemnation from the international community and further strained relations with the Palestinians. On the domestic front, Netanyahu implemented further economic reforms and pursued closer ties with the United States. He also strengthened Israel's relationship with other countries, particularly in the Arab world, through diplomatic agreements and economic partnerships. However, Netanyahu's later years in office were marred by corruption scandals and growing political divisions within Israel. He was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, although he denies any wrongdoing. Additionally, his policies alienated segments of Israeli society, particularly Arab citizens and liberal voters. Netanyahu's relationship with the United States, particularly under Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump, has been a major aspect of his tenure. His use of social media and his relationship with the Israeli media have also been significant factors in his political success. The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the central challenge facing Israel, and Netanyahu's policies have had a profound impact on its trajectory. It is important to note that Netanyahu's legacy is still unfolding, and his ultimate place in history will depend on how future events, particularly the ongoing political and social dynamics within Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, come to play out.

Benjamin Netanyahu PERSONAL LIFE

Father	Benzion Netanyahu
Mother	Tzila Segal
Spouse	Miriam Weizmann (1972; 1978), Fleur Cates (1981; 1988), Sara Ben-Artzi (1991),
Children	Noa Netanyahu, Yair Netanyahu, Avner Netanyahu
Education	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, MS), Harvard University

POSITIONS HELD BY Benjamin Netanyahu

Position	Tenure
Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations	1984 - 1988
Prime Minister of Israel	18 June 1996 - 6 July 1999
Prime Minister of Israel	31 March 2009 - 13 June 2021
Leader of the Opposition	4 May 2006 - 31 March 2009
Knesset Member	21 November 1988 - 13 July 1992
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel	6 November 2002 - 28 February 2003
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel	18 December 2012 - 11 November 2013
Minister of Finance	20 June 1997 - 9 July 1997
Minister of Finance	18 December 1998 - 23 February 1999
Minister of Finance	28 February 2003 - 9 August 2005
Minister of Health	31 March 2009 - 18 March 2013
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs	26 December 1988 - 11 June 1990
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs	25 June 1990 - 11 November 1991
Knesset Member	13 July 1992 - 17 June 1996
Regional Development Minister of Israel	14 May 2015 - 26 December 2016
Minister of Communications	5 November 2014 - 21 February 2017
Knesset Member	17 June 1996 - 4 March 1999
Knesset Member	4 March 1999 - 7 June 1999
Knesset Member	7 June 1999 - 6 July 1999
Knesset Member	17 February 2003 - 17 April 2006
Knesset Member	17 April 2006 - 24 February 2009
Knesset Member	24 February 2009 - 5 February 2013
Knesset Member	5 February 2013 - 9 July 2014
Knesset Member	9 July 2014 - 31 March 2015
Knesset Member	31 March 2015 - 30 April 2019
Knesset Member	30 April 2019 - 3 October 2019
Knesset Member	3 October 2019 - 16 March 2020
Knesset Member	16 March 2020 - 6 April 2021
Knesset Member	6 April 2021 - 15 November 2022
Minister of Religious Services	18 June 1996 - 7 August 1996
Minister of Religious Services	12 August 1997 - 22 August 1997
Minister of Religious Services	20 January 1998 - 25 February 1998
Knesset Member	15 November 2022 - no value
Minister of Economy	3 November 2015 - 1 August 2016
Prime Minister of Israel	29 December 2022 - no value