Early Life And Education

Benjamin Netanyahu: A Profile of Israel's Long-Serving Prime Minister

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 21, 1949.

His parents, Benzion and Zila Netanyahu, were secular Jewish immigrants from Poland. Netanyahu grew up in a Zionist household and attended the prestigious Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium high school.

After graduating from high school, Netanyahu served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a member of the Sayeret Matkal elite commando unit. He went on to study architecture and political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

Political Career

Netanyahu began his political career in the 1980s as a member of the Likud party.

He served as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations from 1988 to 1991 and was elected prime minister for the first time in 1996.

During his first term as prime minister, Netanyahu oversaw the signing of the Oslo Accords, which aimed to establish peace between Israel and the Palestinians. However, the accords were never fully implemented, and Netanyahu's government collapsed in 1999.

Return to Power

Netanyahu returned to power in 2009 and served as prime minister until 2021.

During his second term, he oversaw Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the construction of a barrier along the border with the West Bank. Netanyahu also led Israel through several wars with Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.

In 2022, Netanyahu returned to power after forming a coalition government with several right-wing and religious parties. His new government has been criticized for its hardline policies toward the Palestinians and its plans to weaken the Israeli judiciary.

Views on the Conflict with the Palestinians

Netanyahu has long been a supporter of a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians.

However, he has also said that he does not believe that a Palestinian state can be created until the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state and disarm Hamas.

Netanyahu's views on the conflict have been criticized by some who believe that he is not committed to a two-state solution and that his policies are making it more difficult to achieve peace.

Conclusion

Benjamin Netanyahu is a controversial figure who has been both praised and criticized for his leadership of Israel. His supporters believe that he is a strong leader who has kept Israel safe from its enemies. His critics believe that he is a divisive figure who has made it more difficult to achieve peace with the Palestinians.

Only time will tell how Netanyahu's legacy will be judged. However, there is no doubt that he has been one of the most consequential figures in Israeli history.