* Birth and Education: Benjamin Netanyahu was born on October 21, 1949, in Tel Aviv, Israel. He earned degrees in architecture and business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
* Political Beginnings: After serving as a Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s, Netanyahu entered politics in Israel. He joined the right-wing Likud party and rose through its ranks.
First Term as Prime Minister (1996-1999):
* Election Victory: Netanyahu first became Prime Minister of Israel in 1996, defeating the incumbent Labor Party leader, Shimon Peres. His election is often attributed to his hardline stances on security and peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
* Peace Process with Palestinians: During Netanyahu's first tenure as Prime Minister, peace talks with the Palestinian Authority stalled. He adopted a more cautious approach to the Oslo Accords, which had been initiated by his predecessors, and tensions with the Palestinians intensified.
* Economic Policies: Netanyahu implemented economic reforms during his first term. He focused on reducing government spending, privatizing industries, and opening up the Israeli economy to foreign investment.
* Security Matters: Netanyahu is regarded as a security hawk. He prioritized maintaining a strong military to counter potential threats from neighboring countries and Palestinian militants.
Intermittent Roles in Government (1999-2009):
* Out of Office: After losing the 1999 elections to the Labor Party, Netanyahu served in various ministerial roles in subsequent governments. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance Minister, and Vice Prime Minister.
* Opposition Leader: During periods when he was not in power, Netanyahu played the role of opposition leader in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). He criticized the peace policies and security strategies of rival governments.
Second Term as Prime Minister (2009-2021):
* Reelection: Netanyahu won the 2009 elections and resumed the position of Prime Minister. He formed a coalition government with right-wing and centrist parties.
* Political Maneuvering: Netanyahu's tenure was marked by periods of political instability and coalition changes. He maintained power by forming alliances and negotiating with different political factions.
* Settlements and Palestinian Relations: Netanyahu faced criticism for approving the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. He took a tough stance on peace negotiations with the Palestinians and resisted concessions sought by the international community.
* Controversial Remarks: Netanyahu made several controversial statements, including referring to Arab Israeli citizens as a "demographic threat." Such statements drew criticism both within Israel and from the international community.
* Economic and Technological Developments: Under Netanyahu's leadership, Israel experienced economic growth, innovation in the technology sector, and the development of the "Start-Up Nation."
* Corruption Allegations: Netanyahu faced corruption allegations and charges in recent years. These allegations, which he denied, became the subject of several ongoing legal cases in Israel.
* End of Tenure: In 2021, Netanyahu lost his coalition majority, and Naftali Bennett formed a new government, ending Netanyahu's consecutive terms as Prime Minister.
In summary, Benjamin Netanyahu is a prominent and controversial figure in Israeli politics who served multiple terms as Prime Minister and held key ministerial roles. He is known for his strong stance on security, his approach to peace negotiations with the Palestinians, his economic reforms, and his role in shaping Israel's policies both domestically and internationally.
