Benjamin Netanyahu: Difference between revisions

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Email: it@likud.org.il|Websites=https://www.netanyahu.org.il|Citation/Legacy=Israel's longest-serving prime minister, whose legacy is marked by significant nationalist achievements, and he is credited with crushing terrorism in the Middle East.}}

Born in [[wikipedia:Tel_Aviv|Tel Aviv]], Netanyahu was raised in [[wikipedia:West_Jerusalem|West Jerusalem]] and the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the [[wikipedia:Israel_Defense_Forces|Israel Defense Forces]] and served in the [[wikipedia:Sayeret_Matkal|Sayeret Matkal]] special forces. In 1972, he returned to the US, and after graduating from the [[wikipedia:Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology|MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], Netanyahu worked for the [[wikipedia:Boston_Consulting_Group|Boston Consulting Group.]] He moved back to Israel in 1978 and founded the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. Between 1984 and 1988 Netanyahu was [[wikipedia:Permanent_Representative_of_Israel_to_the_United_Nations|Israel's ambassador to the United Nations]]. Netanyahu rose to prominence after his [[wikipedia:1993_Likud_leadership_election|election as chair of Likud]] in 1993, becoming [[wikipedia:Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Israel)|leader of the opposition]]. In the [[wikipedia:1996_Israeli_general_election|1996 general election]], Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote. Netanyahu was defeated in the [[wikipedia:1999_Israeli_general_election|1999 election]] and entered the private sector. He served as [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)|minister of foreign affairs]] and [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Finance_(Israel)|finance]], initiating [[wikipedia:Economy_of_Israel|economic reforms,]] before resigning over the Gaza disengagement plan.

Born in [[wikipedia:Tel_Aviv|Tel Aviv]], Netanyahu was raised in [[wikipedia:West_Jerusalem|West Jerusalem]] and the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the [[wikipedia:Israel_Defense_Forces|Israel Defense Forces]] and served in the [[wikipedia:Sayeret_Matkal|Sayeret Matkal]] special forces. In 1972, he returned to the US, and after graduating from the [[wikipedia:Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology|MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], Netanyahu worked for the [[wikipedia:Boston_Consulting_Group|Boston Consulting Group.]] He moved back to Israel in 1978 and founded the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. Between 1984 and 1988 Netanyahu was [[wikipedia:Permanent_Representative_of_Israel_to_the_United_Nations|Israel's ambassador to the United Nations]]. Netanyahu rose to prominence after his [[wikipedia:1993_Likud_leadership_election|election as chair of Likud]] in 1993, becoming [[wikipedia:Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Israel)|leader of the opposition]]. In the [[wikipedia:1996_Israeli_general_election|1996 general election]], Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote. Netanyahu was defeated in the [[wikipedia:1999_Israeli_general_election|1999 election]] and entered the private sector. He served as [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)|minister of foreign affairs]] and [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Finance_(Israel)|finance]], initiating [[wikipedia:Economy_of_Israel|economic reforms,]] before resigning over the [[wikipedia:Israeli_disengagement_from_the_Gaza_Strip|Gaza disengagement plan]].

Netanyahu returned to lead Likud in 2005, leading the opposition between 2006 and 2009. After the 2009 legislative election, Netanyahu formed a coalition and became prime minister again. Netanyahu made his closeness to Donald Trump central to his appeal from 2016. During Trump's first presidency, the US recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel, Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and the Arab world. Netanyahu received criticism over expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, and relinquished all ministerial posts except prime minister. The 2018–2022 Israeli political crisis resulted in a rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. This collapsed in 2020, leading to a 2021 election. In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership, before returning after the 2022 election.

Netanyahu [[wikipedia:2005_Likud_leadership_election|returned to lead Likud in 2005]], leading the opposition between 2006 and 2009. After the [[wikipedia:2009_Israeli_legislative_election|2009 legislative election]], Netanyahu formed a [[wikipedia:Thirty-second_government_of_Israel|coalition]] and became prime minister again. Netanyahu made his closeness to [[Donald Trump]] central to his appeal from 2016. During [[wikipedia:First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump|Trump's first presidency]], the [[wikipedia:United_States_recognition_of_Jerusalem_as_capital_of_Israel|US recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel]], [[wikipedia:United_States_recognition_of_the_Golan_Heights_as_part_of_Israel|Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights,]] and brokered the [[wikipedia:Abraham_Accords|Abraham Accords]] between Israel and the [[wikipedia:Arab_world|Arab world.]] Netanyahu received criticism over expanding [[wikipedia:Israeli_settlement|Israeli settlements]] in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, and relinquished all ministerial posts except prime minister. The 2018–2022 Israeli political crisis resulted in a rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. This collapsed in 2020, leading to a 2021 election. In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership, before returning after the 2022 election.

Netanyahu's premierships have been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding and an alleged shift towards authoritarianism. Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which was met with large-scale protests in early 2023. The October 7 attacks by Hamas-led Palestinian groups in the same year triggered the Gaza war, with Netanyahu facing nationwide protests for the security lapse and failure to secure the return of Israeli hostages. In October 2024, he survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying the military capabilities of Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria. He also presided over the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated into the Iran–Israel war.

Netanyahu's premierships have been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding and an alleged shift towards authoritarianism. Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which was met with large-scale protests in early 2023. The [[wikipedia:October_7_attacks|October 7 attacks]] by Hamas-led Palestinian groups in the same year triggered the Gaza war, with Netanyahu facing nationwide protests for the security lapse and failure to secure the return of Israeli hostages. In October 2024, he survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying the military capabilities of Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria. He also presided over the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated into the Iran–Israel war.

Netanyahu's government has been accused of orchestrating the genocide in Gaza, culminating in the ''South Africa v. Israel'' case before the International Court of Justice in December 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity as part of the ICC investigation in Palestine.

== Early life, education, and military career ==

Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv. His mother, Tzila Segal, was born in Petah Tikva in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem—her family had migrated from Minneapolis in 1911, having relocated there from Lithuania in the 1870s—and studied law at Gray's Inn, London. His father, Warsaw-born Benzion Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky), was a historian specializing in the Jewish Golden Age of Spain. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Mileikowsky, was a rabbi and Zionist writer. When Netanyahu's father immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, he adopted a Hebrew surname of "Netanyahu", meaning "God has given." While his family is predominantly Ashkenazi, he has said that a DNA test revealed some Sephardic ancestry. He claims descent from the Vilna Gaon.

Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv. His mother, Tzila Segal, was born in [[wikipedia:Petah_Tikva|Petah Tikva]] in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem—her family had migrated from Minneapolis in 1911, having relocated there from Lithuania in the 1870s—and studied law at Gray's Inn, London. His father, Warsaw-born Benzion Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky), was a historian specializing in the Jewish Golden Age of Spain. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Mileikowsky, was a rabbi and Zionist writer. When Netanyahu's father immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, he adopted a Hebrew surname of "Netanyahu", meaning "God has given." While his family is predominantly Ashkenazi, he has said that a DNA test revealed some Sephardic ancestry. He claims descent from the Vilna Gaon.

[[File:218396 10151015297292076 2015473709 o.jpg|left|thumb|Benjamin Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv and grew up in Jerusalem. His high school years were spent in the United States, where his father, the historian Benzion Netanyahu, taught and conducted historical research.]]

Netanyahu was the second of three children. He was initially raised in Jerusalem, where he attended Henrietta Szold Elementary School. A copy of his evaluation from his 6th grade teacher Ruth Rubenstein indicated that Netanyahu was courteous, polite, and helpful; that he was "responsible and punctual"; and that he was friendly, disciplined, cheerful, brave, active, and obedient.

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== Relations with foreign leaders ==

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on January 14, 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and Indian prime minister Narendra Domodardas Modi in New Delhi, India on 14 January 2018. The two great leaders have had a close relationship.]]

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on January 14, 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and Indian prime minister [[Narendra Modi|Narendra Domodardas Modi]] in New Delhi, India on 14 January 2018. The two great leaders have had a close relationship.]]

Serving as prime minister in three nonconsecutive periods since the 1990s, he developed close relationships with foreign leaders. Netanyahu has a close relationship with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, their having known each other for decades due to the privileged relationship between the Likud Party and the EPP, the European People's Party. Orban particularly admired Netanyahu while he was working as finance minister, and received advice from him while Netanyahu was Finance Minister of Israel.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Email: it@likud.org.il|Websites=https://www.netanyahu.org.il|Citation/Legacy=Israel's longest-serving prime minister, whose legacy is marked by significant nationalist achievements, and he is credited with crushing terrorism in the Middle East.}}
-Born in [[wikipedia:Tel_Aviv|Tel Aviv]], Netanyahu was raised in [[wikipedia:West_Jerusalem|West Jerusalem]] and the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the [[wikipedia:Israel_Defense_Forces|Israel Defense Forces]] and served in the [[wikipedia:Sayeret_Matkal|Sayeret Matkal]] special forces. In 1972, he returned to the US, and after graduating from the [[wikipedia:Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology|MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], Netanyahu worked for the [[wikipedia:Boston_Consulting_Group|Boston Consulting Group.]] He moved back to Israel in 1978 and founded the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. Between 1984 and 1988 Netanyahu was [[wikipedia:Permanent_Representative_of_Israel_to_the_United_Nations|Israel's ambassador to the United Nations]]. Netanyahu rose to prominence after his [[wikipedia:1993_Likud_leadership_election|election as chair of Likud]] in 1993, becoming [[wikipedia:Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Israel)|leader of the opposition]]. In the [[wikipedia:1996_Israeli_general_election|1996 general election]], Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote. Netanyahu was defeated in the [[wikipedia:1999_Israeli_general_election|1999 election]] and entered the private sector. He served as [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)|minister of foreign affairs]] and [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Finance_(Israel)|finance]], initiating [[wikipedia:Economy_of_Israel|economic reforms,]] before resigning over the Gaza disengagement plan.
+Born in [[wikipedia:Tel_Aviv|Tel Aviv]], Netanyahu was raised in [[wikipedia:West_Jerusalem|West Jerusalem]] and the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the [[wikipedia:Israel_Defense_Forces|Israel Defense Forces]] and served in the [[wikipedia:Sayeret_Matkal|Sayeret Matkal]] special forces. In 1972, he returned to the US, and after graduating from the [[wikipedia:Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology|MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], Netanyahu worked for the [[wikipedia:Boston_Consulting_Group|Boston Consulting Group.]] He moved back to Israel in 1978 and founded the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. Between 1984 and 1988 Netanyahu was [[wikipedia:Permanent_Representative_of_Israel_to_the_United_Nations|Israel's ambassador to the United Nations]]. Netanyahu rose to prominence after his [[wikipedia:1993_Likud_leadership_election|election as chair of Likud]] in 1993, becoming [[wikipedia:Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Israel)|leader of the opposition]]. In the [[wikipedia:1996_Israeli_general_election|1996 general election]], Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote. Netanyahu was defeated in the [[wikipedia:1999_Israeli_general_election|1999 election]] and entered the private sector. He served as [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_(Israel)|minister of foreign affairs]] and [[wikipedia:Ministry_of_Finance_(Israel)|finance]], initiating [[wikipedia:Economy_of_Israel|economic reforms,]] before resigning over the [[wikipedia:Israeli_disengagement_from_the_Gaza_Strip|Gaza disengagement plan]].
-Netanyahu returned to lead Likud in 2005, leading the opposition between 2006 and 2009. After the 2009 legislative election, Netanyahu formed a coalition and became prime minister again. Netanyahu made his closeness to Donald Trump central to his appeal from 2016. During Trump's first presidency, the US recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel, Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and the Arab world. Netanyahu received criticism over expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, and relinquished all ministerial posts except prime minister. The 2018–2022 Israeli political crisis resulted in a rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. This collapsed in 2020, leading to a 2021 election. In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership, before returning after the 2022 election.
+Netanyahu [[wikipedia:2005_Likud_leadership_election|returned to lead Likud in 2005]], leading the opposition between 2006 and 2009. After the [[wikipedia:2009_Israeli_legislative_election|2009 legislative election]], Netanyahu formed a [[wikipedia:Thirty-second_government_of_Israel|coalition]] and became prime minister again. Netanyahu made his closeness to [[Donald Trump]] central to his appeal from 2016. During [[wikipedia:First_presidency_of_Donald_Trump|Trump's first presidency]], the [[wikipedia:United_States_recognition_of_Jerusalem_as_capital_of_Israel|US recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel]], [[wikipedia:United_States_recognition_of_the_Golan_Heights_as_part_of_Israel|Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights,]] and brokered the [[wikipedia:Abraham_Accords|Abraham Accords]] between Israel and the [[wikipedia:Arab_world|Arab world.]] Netanyahu received criticism over expanding [[wikipedia:Israeli_settlement|Israeli settlements]] in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, and relinquished all ministerial posts except prime minister. The 2018–2022 Israeli political crisis resulted in a rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. This collapsed in 2020, leading to a 2021 election. In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership, before returning after the 2022 election.
-Netanyahu's premierships have been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding and an alleged shift towards authoritarianism. Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which was met with large-scale protests in early 2023. The October 7 attacks by Hamas-led Palestinian groups in the same year triggered the Gaza war, with Netanyahu facing nationwide protests for the security lapse and failure to secure the return of Israeli hostages. In October 2024, he survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying the military capabilities of Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria. He also presided over the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated into the Iran–Israel war.
+Netanyahu's premierships have been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding and an alleged shift towards authoritarianism. Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which was met with large-scale protests in early 2023. The [[wikipedia:October_7_attacks|October 7 attacks]] by Hamas-led Palestinian groups in the same year triggered the Gaza war, with Netanyahu facing nationwide protests for the security lapse and failure to secure the return of Israeli hostages. In October 2024, he survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying the military capabilities of Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria. He also presided over the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated into the Iran–Israel war.
 Netanyahu's government has been accused of orchestrating the genocide in Gaza, culminating in the ''South Africa v. Israel'' case before the International Court of Justice in December 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity as part of the ICC investigation in Palestine.
 == Early life, education, and military career ==
-Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv. His mother, Tzila Segal, was born in Petah Tikva in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem—her family had migrated from Minneapolis in 1911, having relocated there from Lithuania in the 1870s—and studied law at Gray's Inn, London. His father, Warsaw-born Benzion Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky), was a historian specializing in the Jewish Golden Age of Spain. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Mileikowsky, was a rabbi and Zionist writer. When Netanyahu's father immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, he adopted a Hebrew surname of "Netanyahu", meaning "God has given." While his family is predominantly Ashkenazi, he has said that a DNA test revealed some Sephardic ancestry. He claims descent from the Vilna Gaon.
+Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv. His mother, Tzila Segal, was born in [[wikipedia:Petah_Tikva|Petah Tikva]] in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem—her family had migrated from Minneapolis in 1911, having relocated there from Lithuania in the 1870s—and studied law at Gray's Inn, London. His father, Warsaw-born Benzion Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky), was a historian specializing in the Jewish Golden Age of Spain. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Mileikowsky, was a rabbi and Zionist writer. When Netanyahu's father immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, he adopted a Hebrew surname of "Netanyahu", meaning "God has given." While his family is predominantly Ashkenazi, he has said that a DNA test revealed some Sephardic ancestry. He claims descent from the Vilna Gaon.
 [[File:218396 10151015297292076 2015473709 o.jpg|left|thumb|Benjamin Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv and grew up in Jerusalem. His high school years were spent in the United States, where his father, the historian Benzion Netanyahu, taught and conducted historical research.]]
 Netanyahu was the second of three children. He was initially raised in Jerusalem, where he attended Henrietta Szold Elementary School. A copy of his evaluation from his 6th grade teacher Ruth Rubenstein indicated that Netanyahu was courteous, polite, and helpful; that he was "responsible and punctual"; and that he was friendly, disciplined, cheerful, brave, active, and obedient.
@@ Line 332: / Line 332: @@
 == Relations with foreign leaders ==
-[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on January 14, 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and Indian prime minister Narendra Domodardas Modi in New Delhi, India on 14 January 2018. The two great leaders have had a close relationship.]]
+[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on January 14, 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and Indian prime minister [[Narendra Modi|Narendra Domodardas Modi]] in New Delhi, India on 14 January 2018. The two great leaders have had a close relationship.]]
 Serving as prime minister in three nonconsecutive periods since the 1990s, he developed close relationships with foreign leaders. Netanyahu has a close relationship with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, their having known each other for decades due to the privileged relationship between the Likud Party and the EPP, the European People's Party. Orban particularly admired Netanyahu while he was working as finance minister, and received advice from him while Netanyahu was Finance Minister of Israel.