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.
Even before the testimony was canceled early on Monday, the influence of the Qatargate scandal over the proceedings was already noted.
Benny Gantz noted, "As the investigation into the 'Qatargate' affair progresses, Netanyahu's determination in the battle against the systems responsible for the investigation intensifies."
This comes shortly after Netanyahu, as well as two of his aides, Eli Feldstein and Urich, were arrested for questioning as part of the Qatargate scandal on Monday morning.
After giving Netanyahu the letter, which his defense attorney took, Zangauker told the press that Netanayhu has repeatedly refused to meet with her.
The two suspects, reportedly Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Urich, were arrested for questioning as part of the Qatargate scandal Monday morning.
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If all the factual inaccuracies, deliberate lies, and slips of the tongue were deleted from Benjamin Netanyahu’s 30-minute speech, only five minutes would have remained.
Right now, Israel’s opposition generates nothing but upheaval at a time when unity is paramount. They offer no choice, only chaos.
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