Benjamin Netanyahu, the current prime minister of Israel, has had a remarkable political career. He is the youngest and longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history, surpassing even the nation’s founders. Netanyahu, often referred to as ‘King Bibi’, started his political journey in 1988 and quickly rose to become the head of the government within eight years.
Known for his hardline nationalist stance, Netanyahu has been criticized for his reluctance to pursue peace with Palestine, despite having the opportunity to do so when he first came to power in 1996. However, his image as a leader who can keep the country safe has been tarnished by recent events. A surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the deaths of at least 1,300 Israelis. This attack, combined with bribery allegations and protests over judicial reforms, has led to increased scrutiny of Netanyahu’s leadership.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1949, Netanyahu briefly lived in the US with his family during the early 1960s before returning to Israel in 1967. He served in the army and became a captain in the elite commando unit, Sayeret Matkal. During his time in the army, Netanyahu’s brother, Yonatan, tragically died during a hostage rescue mission known as Operation Entebbe. Yonatan’s death had a profound impact on Netanyahu’s life and career.
After completing his studies at MIT in the US, Netanyahu returned to Israel and founded The Jonathan Institute in honor of his late brother. He gained prominence as Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN from 1994 to 1998. In 1988, Netanyahu made his political debut and won a seat in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, as a member of the right-wing Likud party. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the party’s chairman in 1993.
Netanyahu’s path to becoming prime minister took a tragic turn when Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s prime minister at the time, was assassinated in 1995. The following year, Netanyahu was elected as Israel’s first directly elected prime minister.
Throughout his 16 years in power, spanning six terms, Netanyahu has been known for his hawkish stance. He has prioritized the exercise of power over pursuing peaceful resolutions. In response to the recent attacks against Israel, Netanyahu has taken a hardline approach, cutting off essential supplies to Gaza and vowing to crush Hamas.
As tensions escalate, Israel has ordered over a million Gaza residents to relocate for their safety, claiming that they are being used as human shields by Hamas terrorists. Despite calls from the UN to reconsider this order, Israeli tanks have begun gathering at the Gaza border, raising concerns of a possible ground invasion.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has already claimed the lives of over 3,700 people. The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely watching for further developments.
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