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👁 Benjamin Netanyahu
Image Source : Wikipedia
  • 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)

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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. Bo...rn 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

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU NEWS

Israel kills 4 in Lebanon as Trump slams Netanyahu at G7 summit

June 17, 2026 11:11 am

The casualties were reported in separate drone attacks on two vehicles in Mayfadoun, while a third attack was launched in Shoukin.

Why is Israel PM Netanyahu unhappy with Trump's Iran peace deal? 5 possible reasons

June 16, 2026 10:54 pm

US-Iran truce deal has sparked tensions with Netanyahu as Israel maintains military operations against Hezbollah despite ceasefire efforts.

'I did not like the attack on Beirut': Trump's public split with Netanyahu over Lebanon

June 16, 2026 8:33 pm

Trump's remarks came as conflicting accounts emerged over whether Lebanon forms part of the still-unpublished agreement aimed at ending months of conflict involving the United States and Iran.

Trump criticizes Israel, says Lebanon strike shouldn't derail peace deal with Iran

June 14, 2026 10:05 pm

Donald Trump called out Israel’s Beirut strike, warning that escalating hostilities could derail ongoing US-Iran peace negotiations in the region.

Was Netanyahu left in the dark over Trump's Iran deal?

June 13, 2026 12:24 pm

Axios reported that Netanyahu was left "surprised" by Trump's announcement that he had cancelled the attacks after receiving indications that Iran's leadership had approved a draft framework aimed at ending the war.

Netanyahu aide Jonatan Urich indicted for leaking classified intel to German newspaper 

June 12, 2026 4:43 pm

Israel charged Netanyahu adviser Jonatan Urich for allegedly leaking classified intelligence to Germany's Bild newspaper. Prosecutors say the leak endangered national security and exposed intelligence methods.

View from Tel Aviv: Growing Trump-Netanyahu rift, the Hezbollah threat, and a public that doesn’t trust the peace process

June 10, 2026 11:16 am

The Hezbollah story has become a sordid one for Israel at large and Netanyahu personally. And Trump realises Israel’s wars are not ending, and he possibly can’t finish any of them for it in the near future

How Trump has predicted Iran deal 37 times since March without one materialising

June 09, 2026 7:25 pm

While Donald Trump repeatedly claims the US and Iran are "days away" from a breakthrough, a look at his 37 predictions since March reveals a cycle of unfulfilled promises.

Peace in West Asia is the one thing Netanyahu can’t afford

June 09, 2026 12:23 pm

Sometimes, the greatest barrier to an off-ramp is not the adversary across the table, but the ally standing beside you

👁 Suriya in a still from the film, Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji
Canceled shows to Rs 300-cr hit: Makers on Suriya’s Karuppu success after Rs 45-cr deficit
Entertainment37 min ago

The Tamil film Karuppu's production house expressed gratitude to all contributors for the film's success, crossing Rs 300 crore at the box office. Despite praise for the director and technical team, there were financial struggles and a major miscalculation.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU PHOTOS

Israel strikes Gaza after rockets hit Tel Aviv

March 27, 2019 8:38 am

The attack prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short a visit to Washington and return home. He promised a tough response, setting the stage for perhaps the most serious conflict since a 50-day war in 2014

Israelis hold mass protests over violence against women

December 07, 2018 8:44 am

Organizers of the nationwide protests want the government to implement a $67 million plan it promised last year to combat violence against women

PM Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Netanyahu bond in Gujarat; hold grand roadshow

January 17, 2018 3:11 pm

From his visit to Sabarmati Ashram to a roadshow in Ahmedabad, a few glimpses of Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to PM Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat today.

Netanyahu lauds PM Modi for revolutionising India-Israel relations

January 15, 2018 7:12 pm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in India for a six-day visit during which he will discuss bilateral ties with PM Narendra Modi. Netanyahu, along with his wife Sara, will also be visiting Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai.

Shalom Namaste: Modi-Netanyahu bonhomie on display on first day of visit

January 14, 2018 6:19 pm

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu is the second Israeli prime minister to visit India in the last 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Narendra Modi becomes 1st Indian Prime Minister to land on Israeli shores

July 05, 2017 11:55 am

Modi in Israel: The Indian Prime Minister visited Israel for a trip that he described as 'ground breaking'. PM Modi is the first Indian head of state to make a trip to Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu, his Israeli counterpart, said his country has waited a long time for the Indian PM's visit.

President Pranab Mukherjee voices distress over Israel-Palestinian violence

October 14, 2015 8:08 pm

President Pranab Mukherjee today called for a peaceful resolution of all disputes to which the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by affirming that his country wanted to co-exist with Arabs but would firmly fight terrorism.

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