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Who Is Benjamin Netanyahu?
Benjamin Netanyahu, born on October 21, 1949, in Tel Aviv, Israel, is a prominent Israeli politician who has served multiple terms as the Prime Minister of Israel. Netanyahu is a member of the right-wing Likud party and has been a significant figure in Israeli politics for decades. His political career has been marked by both achievements and controversies, including legal challenges that arose following the contested 2019 elections, during which he was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.
Background
Netanyahu was born into a family with a strong academic and historical background. His father, Benzion Netanyahu, was a renowned Jewish historian, and Benjamin spent much of his early childhood in Jerusalem before moving with his family to the Philadelphia area during his teenage years. It was in the United States where Netanyahu’s father worked as a professor.
In 1967, Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where he served in the elite “Sayeret Matkal” unit, which specializes in counterterrorism and special operations. His military career included participation in high-profile operations, such as the 1972 rescue of hostages from a hijacked Sabena passenger jet during Operation Isotope, led by future Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Diplomatic Work
After his military service, Netanyahu pursued higher education in the United States, earning degrees in architecture and business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He later worked for the Boston Consulting Group before returning to Israel in 1976, following the tragic death of his older brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, during Operation Entebbe, which aimed to free hostages from a hijacked Air France plane in Uganda.
Netanyahu’s career took a diplomatic turn when he became involved in international counterterrorism efforts. He served as Israel’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, D.C., from 1982 to 1984, before being appointed the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (1984-1988). During his tenure at the U.N., Netanyahu played a crucial role in advocating for the declassification of U.N. archives related to Nazi war crimes, further solidifying his reputation as a key figure in Israel’s diplomatic efforts.
Political Success
In 1988, Benjamin Netanyahu was elected to Israel’s Knesset (parliament) as a member of the right-wing Likud party and served as deputy minister for foreign affairs. Five years later, he was elected leader of the Likud party and its prime ministerial candidate. In 1996, Netanyahu won Israel’s premiership, defeating incumbent Labor candidate Shimon Peres. During his tenure, he signed the Hebron and Wye Accords, advancing the peace process with the Palestinians. Netanyahu also focused on economic reforms, including expanding government privatization, liberalizing currency regulations, and reducing deficits.
Following his loss to Ehud Barak in the 1999 elections, Netanyahu resigned from the Knesset, later working in the private sector and on the lecture circuit. He returned to politics in 2002 as minister of foreign affairs before becoming minister of finance.
Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s prime minister for the second time on March 31, 2009, after forming a national unity government. In his famous June 2009 speech at Bar-Ilan University, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to peace, stating that Israel would agree to a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state, provided that Palestinians recognized Israel as such and ensured demilitarization.
Objections to Nuclear Program
In November 2013, Netanyahu strongly opposed a deal between the U.S. and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He called it “a historic mistake,” criticizing the reduction of sanctions in exchange for suspending uranium enrichment efforts.
The conflict with Hamas in Gaza escalated in 2014 following the murder of three Israeli teenagers, with Israel targeting Hamas strongholds. The violence provoked international outcry, especially over civilian casualties. In December 2014, Netanyahu dissolved the coalition government and called for new elections.
In March 2015, Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, continuing to oppose the nuclear deal with Iran, while President Obama defended the agreement. This speech deepened the divide between the two leaders.
2015 Reelection Amid Controversy
Netanyahu won Israel’s 2015 election, defeating Isaac Herzog of the Zionist Union. However, his campaign faced criticism for using anti-Arab rhetoric, which he later apologized for, and for unclear positions on the future of Palestinian statehood. He subsequently clarified his stance, reaffirming his commitment to a two-state solution.
Two-State Obstacles
In December 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formal recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move widely condemned by Palestinians and many U.N. members, but praised by Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu. He called the decision “courageous and just.” In early 2018, Israel passed a law requiring a supermajority to ratify peace deals involving Jerusalem. Netanyahu also supported annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move criticized internationally.
In January 2020, Netanyahu stood alongside President Trump at the White House as Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan. The proposal included Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements and the creation of a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, which Netanyahu hailed as “a vision of peace.”
Investigations and Protests
In August 2017, Netanyahu became the subject of multiple criminal investigations for alleged fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. One case involved accepting gifts from businessmen, while another concerned efforts to secure favorable media coverage. The Likud party proposed a bill to limit public access to investigation details, which sparked widespread protests.
In February 2018, Israeli police announced they had sufficient evidence to indict Netanyahu, who dismissed the charges, asserting that the allegations would come to nothing. Nonetheless, in November 2019, Israel’s attorney general formally indicted Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which he denounced as a “witch hunt.”
2019 and 2020 Elections
In the 2019 elections, Netanyahu faced a strong challenge from Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White alliance, but was unable to form a governing coalition, leading to another election in September 2019. Once again, Likud fell short of a majority, and despite being tasked with forming a government, Netanyahu failed to secure enough support, leading to a third election. By March 2020, with the nation in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, Netanyahu and Gantz negotiated a power-sharing agreement.
Indictment
On November 21, 2019, Netanyahu was formally indicted for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, charges that stemmed from the investigations into his alleged misconduct. Despite this, he remained defiant, claiming that the legal proceedings were politically motivated.
Personal Life
Netanyahu is married to Sara Ben-Artzi, a child psychologist. They have two children, Yair and Avner. Netanyahu also has a daughter, Noa, from a previous marriage that ended in 1978.
A prolific writer, Netanyahu has published several books, many focused on terrorism, including International Terrorism: Challenge and Response (1979), Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism (1996), and A Place Among the Nations: Israel and the World (1992).