Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister of Israel since its inception. 


Born in Tel Aviv on October 21, 1949, he grew up in Jerusalem before moving with his family to Pennsylvania during his high school years, where his father taught history. In 1967 Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the IDF's Sayeret Matkal special forces unit, where he served until 1973. 


He took part in many military operations, including a 1972 rescue mission of hostages in a hijacked Sabena airplane, during which he was shot in the shoulder. Netanyahu finished his military service in 1972, but returned to serve in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, after which he was promoted to the rank of Captain. 


His brother Yonatan "Yoni," an IDF officer, was killed during Operation Entebbe in 1976 at the Entebbe Airport in Uganda where Israelis were being held hostage. His was the only death resulting from the mission. 


He has degrees in architecture and business management from MIT. He also studied political science at MIT and Harvard University. He served as Israel's ambassador to the UN from 1984-1988, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Ariel Sharon's government. 


In 1993 Netanyahu was elected Likud party chairman and served as the leader of the opposition until being elected prime minister in 1996. In 2009, he was elected prime minister for the second time, in January 2013 a third, and in March 2015 a fourth. 


He is married to Sara Netanyahu with whom he has two children, Yair and Avner. 


In 2018, the Mossad stole Iran's nuclear archive. Netanyahu later presented the information to the international community. Netanyahu strongly opposes a nuclear deal with Iran.

Under the rotation government set by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Netanyahu serves as the leader of the opposition. 

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No 'outrageous' decision will stop me, says Netanyahu about ICC arrest warrant

Netanyahu called the ruling an "antisemetic step with one goal - to deter me, to deter us - from exercising our right to defend ourselves."

A wall of hostage posters in seen in Jerusalem, September 5, 2024

ICC has sealed fate of hostages, legal expert tells the 'Post'

Anne Herzberg of NGO Monitor explained how the warrants significantly limit Israel's ability to cooperate with national security officials.

'Expect strong response,' Trump's national security advisor pick tells ICC

In a post on X, Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton decried the ICC as a "kangaroo court" and called Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic."

Yigal Palmor

Former Israeli diplomat abhors 'clueless' ICC warrants, says decision will 'live in infamy'

Former Israeli diplomat and former foreign ministry official, Yigal Palmor, told the Post that the warrants will have significant implications for international justice.

 Israeli justice system (illustrative)

Israel's status hits a new low after ICC issues arrest warrants

The ICC's reasoning for issuing the arrest warrants amounts to a harsh indictment of Israel's policies in its war on Gaza.

'Fueled by political bias': Jewish organizations, figures condemn ICC's arrest warrants

"The ICC’s decision not only undermines the pursuit of peace but also disregards the recognized right of a nation to act in self-defense when facing the threat of Hamas," WJC stated.

US rejects ICC's Netanyahu warrant, Hamas celebrates as reactions pour in

"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders," Hamas said in a statement. 

L-R: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Eliezer Feldstein, a suspect in the PMO scandal

Netanyahu aide Eli Feldstein indicted for endangering national security

Feldstein is accused of leaking classified documents that harmed the war effort and reduced the chances of a successful hostage deal.

(L-R): International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant for Gaza 'war crimes'

The ruling could prevent Israeli officials from traveling and comes as the government ignores legal advice to open a state inquiry.

October 7 Civilian Inquiry Committee to publish initial findings on Tuesday

The committee sent requests for responses to over 120 senior political and military officials as part of its preparation to publish a comprehensive and highly critical report.

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