A year ago, in October 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was grappling with his country’s most significant security failure, facing criticism both at home and abroad. After fostering a tough image for decades, Netanyahu became politically exposed following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. A year later, on October 18, Netanyahu’s grip on power seemed stronger than ever after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was announced. ,
The killing of Sinwar, who masterminded the October 7 attacks, is seen as a vindication for Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
Background and political career
Born in Tel Aviv on October 21, 1949, Benjamin Netanyahu’s mother, Tzila Segal, was an Israeli-born Jew, while his father, Benzion Netanyahu, was from Poland, who changed his name from Benzion Milikowski after settling in Jerusalem.
Benjamin Netanyahu was raised in Jerusalem and attended high school in the United States. His father was a historian. In 1963, the family moved to Philadelphia, US, where he spent his formative years.
At the age of 18, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and served for five years as a captain in the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Following his military service, Netanyahu pursued higher education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and received an MBA in 1976. His studies were briefly interrupted by the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where he served as a soldier. The death of his brother Jonathan during the Entebbe raid in 1976 inspired him to establish the Jonathan Institute, dedicated to addressing terrorism-related issues through international conferences.
Fluent in English with a notable American accent, he soon became a leading voice for Israel, frequently appearing on American television as a strong advocate of his country. In 1982, he became deputy chief of mission to Israel in Washington. Two years later, he was appointed Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career actually began in 1988 when he was elected to the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) as a member of the Likud Party. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Deputy Foreign Minister and later Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1988 to 1991. In 1993, he became leader of the Likud party, gaining prominence for his staunch opposition to the Israel–PLO peace accord and subsequent Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This is Netanyahu’s first term as PM
Benjamin Netanyahu became Israel’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 47 following the 1996 election. His tenure began amid unrest, sparked by strained relations with Syria and his decision to open a tunnel near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, leading to violent clashes.
Despite his staunch opposition to the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords, Benjamin Netanyahu made notable concessions during his first term as prime minister. He signed an agreement to transfer 80% of Hebron to the control of the Palestinian Authority and approved further evacuations from the occupied West Bank, a move that drew sharp criticism from his right-wing base.
In 1999, Netanyahu lost to Labor leader Ehud Barak after calling early elections 17 months ahead of schedule.
Following this defeat, Netanyahu remained a prominent figure in Likud but lost the leadership of the party to Ariel Sharon. He later served as Foreign Minister and Finance Minister in Sharon’s government.
return to power
In the February 2009 elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party gained 27 seats in the Knesset, narrowly trailing Kadima’s 28 seats. Netanyahu formed a coalition government with Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, and smaller parties, and officially took office on March 31, 2009.
During this term, Netanyahu offered conditional support for a Palestinian state, but insisted that it be demilitarized and that Israel be recognized as a Jewish state – conditions rejected by Palestinian leaders. Peace talks stalled after Israel ended a moratorium on West Bank settlements in 2010.
Netanyahu’s foreign policy was defined by his tough stance on Iran, consistently advocating international action against its nuclear program.
Domestically, growing economic discontent sparked mass protests in 2011, with citizens demanding better public services. His coalition was also battling tensions over military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, leading to early elections in 2012.
After returning to power with a more centrist coalition following elections, Benjamin Netanyahu led a military campaign in Gaza in 2014 following rocket attacks. Despite international criticism over civilian casualties, he claimed that the operation had weakened terrorist capabilities.
By late 2014, internal infighting within his coalition over the budget and legislation led to the dismissal of key cabinet members and elections in 2015. Relations with then-US President Barack Obama became increasingly strained, particularly over Iran, culminating in Netanyahu’s controversial address to the US Congress. In early 2015.
Despite predictions of tough competition in the March 2015 elections, Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged victorious.
Corruption allegations and coalition crisis
Benjamin Netanyahu faces fraud, breach of trust and corruption charges arising from a long-running investigation. In 2019 he was accused of accepting lavish gifts from millionaire associates and seeking regulatory favors for media moguls in exchange for positive coverage. Netanyahu denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign after his indictment, calling the investigation a politically motivated witch-hunt by law enforcement, the media and the courts.
The corruption allegations became a rallying issue for opposition parties, uniting politicians from across Israel’s political spectrum. This growing opposition ultimately led to his ouster following the March 2021 elections, ending Netanyahu’s second term as prime minister.
2022 election returns and controversy
In early 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial suffered a setback when reports emerged that police had used Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of key witnesses. Netanyahu’s defense further questioned the allegations, citing an incorrect date of the meeting in the indictment.
As an opposition leader, Netanyahu aggressively targeted the ruling coalition. The November 2022 elections saw record turnout, with Netanyahu returned to power through a controversial coalition that also included far-right ministers.
Israel-Hamas war
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a major attack on Israel from land, sea and air. In response, Israel carried out air strikes on Gaza. A ground offensive soon followed, escalating the Israel-Hamas war.
Benjamin Netanyahu faced heavy criticism for his handling of the crisis, being blamed for both the preparations leading up to October 7 and his management of the hostages and displaced civilians. Polls show a decline in support for Netanyahu.
Internationally, Benjamin Netanyahu noted a shift from initial sympathy to isolation due to deteriorating conditions in Gaza. By March 2024, he faced differences with US President Joe Biden over a planned offensive in Rafah, an area with a large number of civilians.
Domestic unrest escalated as protests intensified in Tel Aviv by the end of May. On May 20, 2024, the International Criminal Court announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
The decision was condemned, although Netanyahu’s public support increased slightly.
In July 2024, Netanyahu insisted that any ceasefire must allow Israel to retain control of the Philadelphia Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, seeing it as vital to cutting off supplies to Hamas. This became a sticking point in the negotiations.
By late August, the discovery of the bodies of six hostages led to growing public anger and mass protests. Protesters called on the Netanyahu government to prioritize the release of the remaining hostages. Despite increasing pressure, Netanyahu maintained his stance on controlling the Philadelphia corridor.
Israel is also waging a war with Hamas’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. The two sides had exchanged rocket fire since the October 7 attack. The Benjamin Netanyahu government decided to send ground troops to Lebanon in September.
The situation in the Middle East remains tense and the world is keenly watching Benjamin Nenyahu’s next move.
The assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, has significantly boosted Benjamin Netanyahu’s image within Israel, but could escalate tensions in the Middle East.
