Benjamin Netanyahu

{{Short description|Prime Minister of Israel (1996–1999; 2009–2021; 2022–present)}} {{redirect|Netanyahu|his family|Netanyahu family}}{{Too many sections|date=April 2026}}  {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | native_name = {{lang|he|{{nobold|בִּנְיָמִין נְתַנְיָהוּ}}}} | image = Benjamin Netanyahu, February 2023.jpg | alt = Portrait of Benjamin Netanyahu, a middle-aged man, wearing a suit with a blue tie, sitting in front of an Israeli flag | caption = Official portrait, 2023 | office = Prime Minister of Israel | term_start = 29 December 2022 | term_end = | president = Isaac Herzog | predecessor = Yair Lapid | deputy = Yariv Levin | successor = | term_start1 = 31 March 2009 | term_end1 = 13 June 2021 | president1 = {{ubl|Shimon Peres|Reuven Rivlin}} | 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Alternate}} | 1namedata1 = Benny Gantz {{nowrap|(2020–2021)}} | predecessor1 = Ehud Olmert | successor1 = Naftali Bennett | term_start2 = 18 June 1996 | term_end2 = 6 July 1999 | president2 = Ezer Weizman | predecessor2 = Shimon Peres | successor2 = Ehud Barak | office3 = Leader of the Opposition | term_start3 = 28 June 2021<ref>[https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/mk/Pages/HeadOfOpposition.aspx Leader of the Opposition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326105855/https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/mk/Pages/HeadOfOpposition.aspx |date=26 March 2023 }}, Knesset</ref> | term_end3 = 29 December 2022 | prime_minister3 = {{ubl | Naftali Bennett | Yair Lapid }} | predecessor3 = Yair Lapid | successor3 = Yair Lapid | term_start4 = 16 January 2006 | term_end4 = 31 March 2009 | prime_minister4 = {{ubl | Ariel Sharon | Ehud Olmert }} | predecessor4 = Amir Peretz | successor4 = Tzipi Livni | term_label5 = De facto | term_start5 = 24 March 1993 | term_end5 = 18 June 1996 | prime_minister5 = {{ubl | Yitzhak Rabin | Shimon Peres }} | predecessor5 = Yitzhak Shamir | successor5 = Shimon Peres | office6 = Chairman of Likud | term_start6 = 20 December 2005 | term_end6 = | predecessor6 = Ariel Sharon | successor6 = | term_start7 = 24 March 1993 | term_end7 = 6 July 1999 | predecessor7 = Yitzhak Shamir | successor7 = Ariel Sharon | office8 = Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations | term_start8 = 1 September 1984 | term_end8 = 1 March 1988 | prime_minister8 = {{ubl | Yitzhak Shamir | Shimon Peres | Yitzhak Shamir }} | predecessor8 = Yehuda Zvi Blum | successor8 = Yohanan Bein | office9 = Member of the Knesset | term_start9 = 17 February 2003 | term_start10 = 21 November 1988 | term_end10 = 6 July 1999 | office11 = Ministerial roles | subterm11 = 1996–1997 | suboffice11 = Science and Technology | subterm12 = 1996–1999 | suboffice12 = Housing and Construction | subterm13 = 2002–2003 | suboffice13 = Foreign Affairs | subterm14 = 2003–2005 | suboffice14 = Finance | subterm15 = 2009–2013 | suboffice15 = {{hlist | Economic Strategy | Health | Pensioner Affairs }} | subterm16 = 2012–2013 | suboffice16 = Foreign Affairs | subterm17 = 2013 | suboffice17 = {{hlist | Foreign Affairs | Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs }} | subterm18 = 2014–2015 | suboffice18 = Communications | subterm19 = 2015 | suboffice19 = Pensioner Affairs | subterm20 = 2015–2019 | suboffice20 = {{hlist | Economy | Foreign Affairs | Health | Regional Cooperation }} | subterm21 = 2018–2019 | suboffice21 = Defense | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|10|21|df=yes}} | birth_place = Tel Aviv, Israel  | death_date = | death_place = | party = Likud (since 1988) | father = Benzion Netanyahu | mother = Tzila Netanyahu | spouse = {{ubil | {{marriage|Miriam Weizmann|1972|1978|end=divorced}} | {{marriage|Fleur Cates|1981|1988|end=divorced}} | {{marriage|Sara Ben-Artzi|1991}} }} | children = 3, including Yair | relatives = {{ubl | Nathan Mileikowsky (grandfather) | Yonatan Netanyahu (brother) | Iddo Netanyahu (brother) | Elisha Netanyahu (uncle) | Shoshana Netanyahu (aunt) | Nathan Netanyahu (cousin) }} | education = {{ubl | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS, MS) | Harvard University }} | occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|management consultant|marketing executive|politician|writer}} | cabinet = {{hlist | 27 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 37 }} | signature = Benjamin Netanyahu signature.svg | signature_alt = | website = {{Official URL}} | nickname = Bibi | branch = Israel Defense Forces | service_years = 1967–1973 | rank = ''Séren'' (Captain) | unit = Sayeret Matkal | battles = {{tree list}} * War of Attrition ** Battle of Karameh * 1968 Israeli raid on Lebanon * Yom Kippur War {{tree list/end}} | other_party = Herut (until 1988) | awards = Full list | module2 = {{Listen voice |filename=Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on President Donald Trump's Gaza Peace Plan - September 29, 2025.wav |name=Netanyahu |description=Netanyahu speaking on U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war |recorded=29 September 2025}} }} {{Benjamin Netanyahu series}} '''Benjamin''' "'''Bibi'''" '''Netanyahu'''{{efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|n|ɛ|t|ən|ˈ|j|ɑː|h|uː}} {{respell|NET|ən|YAH|hoo}};<ref>{{cite Dictionary.com |Netanyahu |access-date=29 April 2020}}</ref> {{langx|he|בִּנְיָמִין "בִּיבִּי" נְתַנְיָהוּ|Binyamin "Bibi" Netanyahu}}, {{IPA|he|binjaˈmin netanˈjahu|pron|He-Benjamin Netanyahu.ogg}}}} (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician and diplomat who has served as Prime Minister of Israel since 2022. Having previously held office from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021, Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 January 2013 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-fast-facts |access-date=31 December 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

Born in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu was raised in West Jerusalem and the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the Israel Defense Forces and served in the Sayeret Matkal special forces. In 1972, he returned to the US, and after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Netanyahu worked for the Boston Consulting Group. He moved back to Israel in 1978 and founded The Jonathan Institute. Between 1984 and 1988 Netanyahu was Israel's ambassador to the United Nations. Netanyahu rose to prominence after his election as chair of Likud in 1993, becoming leader of the opposition. In the 1996 general election, Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote. Netanyahu was defeated in the 1999 election and entered the private sector. He served as minister of foreign affairs and finance, initiating economic reforms, before resigning over the Gaza disengagement plan.

Netanyahu returned to lead Likud in 2005, leading the opposition between 2006 and 2009. After the 2009 legislative election, Netanyahu formed a coalition and became prime minister again. Netanyahu made his closeness to Donald Trump central to his appeal from 2016. During Trump's first presidency, the US recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel, Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and the Arab world. Netanyahu received criticism over expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery and fraud, and relinquished all ministerial posts except prime minister. The 2018–2022 Israeli political crisis resulted in a rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz. This collapsed in 2020, leading to a 2021 election. In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed as prime minister, before returning after the 2022 election.

Netanyahu's prime ministerships have been criticized for perceived democratic backsliding and an alleged shift towards authoritarianism. Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which was met with large-scale protests in early 2023. The October 7 attacks by Hamas-led Palestinian groups in the same year triggered the Gaza war, with Netanyahu facing nationwide protests for the security lapse and failure to secure the return of Israeli hostages. Escalations with Iran in 2024 saw the countries exchange strikes in April and October. Also in October, he survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying the military capabilities of Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria. He presided over the 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, which started the Twelve-Day War. In February 2026, he launched a major air campaign against Iran, alongside the US, with the stated goal of regime change, beginning the 2026 Iran war. In March, escalations with Hezbollah were followed by a second invasion of Lebanon.

Netanyahu's government has been orchestrating the genocide in Gaza,<ref>Multiple sources: * {{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=A genocide is unfolding before our eyes: History will not forgive our inaction, UN Special Committee warns General Assembly in report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/11/genocide-unfolding-our-eyes-history-will-not-forgive-our-inaction |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002205342/https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/11/genocide-unfolding-our-eyes-history-will-not-forgive-our-inaction |archive-date=2025-10-02 |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=OHCHR |quote=Our findings conclude that Israel’s methods of war align with the characteristics of genocide}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-09-16 |title=Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/israel-has-committed-genocide-gaza-strip-un-commission-finds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206074842/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/israel-has-committed-genocide-gaza-strip-un-commission-finds |archive-date=2025-12-06 |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=OHCHR |language=en |quote=The Commission has been investigating the events on and since 7 October 2023 for the last two years, and concluded that Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, namely killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of the Palestinians in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births.}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel |url=https://docs.un.org/en/A/80/337 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118125758/https://docs.un.org/en/A/80/337 |archive-date=2025-11-18 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=UN Human Rights Council |quote=para. 76: ...Israeli authorities deliberately inflicted conditions of life on the Palestinians in Gaza calculated to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in Gaza, which is an underlying act of genocide...}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-09-16 |title=Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-crp-3.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210152028/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-crp-3.pdf |archive-date=2025-12-10 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=UN Human Rights Council |quote=Para. 233: the Commission concludes that the ‘direct and public incitement to commit genocide’ under article III(c) of the Genocide Convention is established. Para. 252. The Commission concludes on reasonable grounds that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have committed and are continuing to commit the following actus reus of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, namely (i) killing members of the group; (ii) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (iii) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and (iv) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=“More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session58/a-hrc-58-crp-6.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019075921/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session58/a-hrc-58-crp-6.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-19 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=UN Human Rights Council |quote=Para. 175: The Commission concludes that the destruction of the Basma IVF clinic was a measure intended to prevent births among Palestinians in Gaza, which is a genocidal act under the Rome Statute and Genocide Convention. Para. 178: The Commission concludes that the ISF caused serious bodily and mental harm to members of this group, and deliberately inflicted conditions of life that were calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza as a group, in whole or in part, which are categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention. Para. 218: The Commission finds that the Israeli authorities have destroyed in part the reproductive capacity of the Palestinians in Gaza as a group, including by imposing measures intended to prevent births, one of the categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention. Para. 219: The harm for pregnant, lactating and new mothers is of an unprecedented scale in Gaza…The underlying acts amount to crimes against humanity and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians as a group, one of the categories of genocidal acts in the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention}} * {{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, legal analysis and recommendations on the implementation of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion, Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiopt/2024-10-18-COI-position-paper_co-israel.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010022635/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiopt/2024-10-18-COI-position-paper_co-israel.pdf |archive-date=2025-10-10 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=UN Human Rights Council |quote=Para. 23: On the issue of genocide, the Commission notes the provisional measures orders issued by the Court in the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel). The Commission finds that all States are on notice that Israel may be or is committing internationally wrongful acts in both its conduct in the military operations in Gaza and its unlawful occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Thus, the Commission finds that, unless States cease their aid and assistance to Israel in the commission of these acts, those States shall be deemed to be complicit in those internationally wrongful acts.}} * {{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Application of the Genocide Convention (Order 26 I 24) |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250926134400/https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en-1.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-26 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=International Court of Justice |quote=Para. 54: In the Court’s view, the facts and circumstances mentioned above are sufficient to conclude that at least some of the rights claimed by South Africa and for which it is seeking protection are plausible. This is the case with respect to the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts identified in Article III, and the right of South Africa to seek Israel’s compliance with the latter’s obligations under the Convention.}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Application of the Genocide Convention (Order 28 III 24) |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240328-ord-01-00-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312091442/https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/192-20240328-ord-01-00-en.pdf |archive-date=2025-03-12 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=International Court of Justice |quote=Para. 25: …The Court also sees no reason to revisit this conclusion [referring to para. 54 & 59 of Order of 26 January 2024 that there was/is a plausible case of genocide in Gaza]. Para. 30: The Court has already observed that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip that existed when it issued its Order of 26 January 2024 has deteriorated even further… Para. 34: …“[t]he situation of hunger, starvation and famine is a result of Israel’s extensive restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, displacement of most of the population, as well as the destruction of crucial civilian infrastructure”…}} * {{Cite web |date=2025-05-24 |title=Application of the Genocide Convention (Order 24 V 24) |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240524-ord-01-00-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615061906/https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/192-20240524-ord-01-00-en-1.pdf |archive-date=2025-06-15 |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=International Court of Justice |quote=Para. 31-32: [reaffirms para. 25 Order of 28 March 2024 of para. 54 & 59 of Order of 26 January 2024 that there was/is a plausible case of genocide in Gaza]. Para. 47: the Court finds that the current situation arising from Israel’s military offensive in Rafah entails a further risk of irreparable prejudice to the plausible rights claimed by South Africa [in their genocide case against Israel]}}</ref> culminating in the ''South Africa v. Israel'' case before the International Court of Justice in December 2023. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity as part of the ICC investigation in Palestine.

== Early life, education, and military career == Netanyahu was born in 1949 in Tel Aviv.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/state/pages/benjamin%20netanyahu.aspx|title=Benjamin Netanyahu|access-date=16 June 2021|publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606071740/https://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/state/pages/benjamin%20netanyahu.aspx|archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="defiant">{{Cite news|date=13 June 2021|title=Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's defiant leader|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18008697|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=1 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101050612/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18008697|url-status=live}}</ref> His mother, Tzila Segal, was born in Petah Tikva in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem—her family had migrated from Minneapolis in 1911, having relocated there from Lithuania in the 1870s<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mekomit.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%97%D7%AA-%D7%A0%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%94%D7%95-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9F-%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%A0/|title=משפחת נתניהו: על הציר בין אמריקה לקולוניה בפלסטין|trans-title=The Netanyahu Family: On the Axis between America and its Colony in Palestine|first=Gadi|last=Algazi|work=Local Conversation|date=23 January 2023|language=he}}</ref>—and studied law at Gray's Inn, London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/01/benzion-netanyahu|title=Benzion Netanyahu obituary|work=The Guardian|date=2 May 2012|first=Lawrence|last=Joffe}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1998/05/25/benjamin-netanyahu-the-outsider|title=The Outsider: Benjamin Netanyahu's complex histories|magazine=The New Yorker|date=17 May 1998|first=David|last=Remnick|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu|first=Anshel|last=Pfeffer|date=2018|publisher=Basic Books, Hachette Book Group|location=New York|isbn=978-0-465-09782-1}}</ref> His father, Warsaw-born Benzion Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky), was a historian specializing in the Jewish Golden Age of Spain. His paternal grandfather, Nathan Mileikowsky, was a rabbi and Zionist writer. When Netanyahu's father immigrated to Mandatory Palestine, he adopted a Hebrew surname of "Netanyahu", meaning "God has given." While his family is predominantly Ashkenazi, he has said that a DNA test revealed some Sephardic ancestry. He claims descent from the Vilna Gaon.<ref>Itamar Eichner (25 May 2016) [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4807687,00.html "Netanyahu: I have Sephardic roots as well"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703034522/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4807687,00.html |date=3 July 2016 }}, Ynetnews</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Winer|first=Stuart|title=Netanyahu reveals his roots go back to Spain|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-reveals-roots-go-back-to-spain/|access-date=16 August 2020|work=The Times of Israel|language=en-US|archive-date=1 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101050330/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-reveals-roots-go-back-to-spain/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Netanyahu was the second of three children. He was initially raised in Jerusalem, where he attended Henrietta Szold Elementary School. A copy of his evaluation from his 6th grade teacher Ruth Rubenstein indicated that Netanyahu was courteous, polite, and helpful; that he was "responsible and punctual"; and that he was friendly, disciplined, cheerful, brave, active, and obedient.<ref name="JPost responsible">{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=282840 |title=PM was 'responsible' sixth-grader, evaluation shows |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=28 August 2012 |author=Lidman, Melanie |access-date=30 August 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830053213/http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=282840 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between 1956 and 1958, and from 1963 to 1967,<ref name="ynetnews.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4187902,00.html |title=Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu |date=10 February 2012 |publisher=Ynetnews |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307205856/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4187902,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> his family lived in the United States in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, while father Benzion Netanyahu taught at Dropsie College.<ref name=Moyer>{{cite news|last1=Moyer |first1=Justin |date=3 March 2015 |title=Why Benjamin Netanyahu is so tough: He's from Philadelphia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/03/why-benjamin-netanyahu-is-so-tough-hes-from-philadelphia/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402200554/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/03/why-benjamin-netanyahu-is-so-tough-hes-from-philadelphia/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2015}}</ref> Benjamin graduated from Cheltenham High School and was active in the debate club, chess club, and soccer.<ref name=Moyer /> He and his brother Yonatan grew dissatisfied with what they saw as the superficial way of life they encountered in the area, including the prevalent youth counterculture movement and the liberal sensibilities of the Reform synagogue, Temple Judea of Philadelphia, that the family attended.<ref name=Moyer />

thumb|upright|left|1967 photograph of Netanyahu by the Israel Defense Forces

After graduating from high school in 1967, Netanyahu returned to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces. He trained as a combat soldier and served for five years in a special forces unit of the IDF, Sayeret Matkal. He took part in numerous cross-border raids during the 1967–70 War of Attrition, including the March 1968 Battle of Karameh, when the IDF attacked Jordan to capture PLO leader Yasser Arafat but were repulsed with heavy casualties.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2018-04-27/ty-article-opinion/.premium/how-netanyahu-went-from-creature-to-master-of-jewish-nationalism/0000017f-dedb-d3ff-a7ff-fffb09560000 | title=Right-wing Jewish Nationalism Created Netanyahu. Then Netanyahu Became Its Master | newspaper=Haaretz | access-date=29 November 2023 | archive-date=20 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120164156/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2018-04-27/ty-article-opinion/.premium/how-netanyahu-went-from-creature-to-master-of-jewish-nationalism/0000017f-dedb-d3ff-a7ff-fffb09560000 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Moussa | first1=Emad | url=https://www.newarab.com/features/netanyahus-my-story-eyes-staunch-ideologue | title=Netanyahu's 'My Story': In the eyes of a staunch ideologue | work=The New Arab | date=30 November 2022 | access-date=29 November 2023 | archive-date=12 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112172121/https://www.newarab.com/features/netanyahus-my-story-eyes-staunch-ideologue | url-status=live }}</ref> He became a team-leader in the unit. He was wounded in combat on multiple occasions.<ref name="ginsburg1">{{cite news|first=Mitch|last=Ginsburg|date=25 October 2012|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/saving-sergeant-netanyahu/#!|title=Saving Sergeant Netanyahu|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=31 October 2014|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405164526/https://www.timesofisrael.com/saving-sergeant-netanyahu/#!|url-status=live}}</ref> He was involved in many other missions, including the 1968 Israeli raid on Lebanon and the rescue of the hijacked Sabena Flight 571 in May 1972, in which he was shot in the shoulder.<ref>{{cite news |title=More than six decades on, Israel memorializes late commander of British Army's Jewish Unit |first=Yossi |last=Melman |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/more-than-six-decades-on-israel-memorializes-late-commander-of-british-army-s-jewish-unit-1.325308 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=30 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230172518/https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/more-than-six-decades-on-israel-memorializes-late-commander-of-british-army-s-jewish-unit-1.325308 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="defiant" /> He was discharged from active service in 1972 but remained in the Sayeret Matkal reserves. Following his discharge, he left to study in the United States but returned in October 1973 to serve in the Yom Kippur War.<ref name="Sayeret Matkal is 50 years old">{{cite web|first=Amir|last=Buhbut|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/560/122.html|title=Sayeret Matkal is 50 years old|website=NRG Maariv|access-date=8 November 2011|archive-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014060839/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/560/122.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ball">{{cite news |title=Professor recalls Netanyahu's intense studies in three fields |first=Charles H. |last=Ball |url=http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1996/netanyahu-0605.html |publisher=MIT Tech Talk |date=5 June 1996 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=27 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327110719/http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1996/netanyahu-0605.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Higher education === Netanyahu returned to the United States in late 1972 to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After returning to Israel to fight in the Yom Kippur War, he returned to the United States and, under the name '''Ben Nitay''', completed a bachelor's degree<ref name=MITDegrees>{{cite web |url=http://web.mit.edu/registrar/stats/degrees/index.html |title=Enrollment Statistics |publisher=MIT Office of the Registrar |access-date=17 October 2012 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108145723/http://web.mit.edu/registrar/stats/degrees/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in architecture<ref>{{cite news |date=15 May 2011 |title=The MIT 150: 150 Ideas, Inventions, and Innovators that Helped Shape Our World |url=http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/specials/mit150/mitlist/?page=full |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045200/http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/specials/mit150/mitlist/?page=full |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=8 August 2011 |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> in February 1975 and earned a master's degree<ref name=MITDegrees /> from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2019 |title=Who Is Benjamin Netanyahu? |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/who-is-benjamin-netanyahu-580010 |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 1996 |title=Professor recalls Netanyahu's intense studies in three fields |url=https://news.mit.edu/1996/netanyahu-0605 |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=MIT News {{!}} Massachusetts Institute of Technology |language=en}}</ref> Concurrently, he was studying towards a doctorate<ref name="ball" /> in political science.<ref>Cathy Hartley, David Lea, Paul Cossali, Annamarie Rowe, ''Survey of Arab-Israeli Relations'' (Taylor & Francis, 2004), p. 522.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2393677.stm |title=Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu |date=20 February 2009 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=9 March 2013 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513005346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2393677.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> His studies were broken off by the death of his brother Yonatan who was leading the Entebbe raid.<ref name="ball" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2025 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu {{!}} Biography, Education, Party, Nickname, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Netanyahu |access-date=26 June 2025 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - P.M. Netanyahu at Memorial Service for Yoni.jpg|thumb|upright|Benjamin Netanyahu at the grave of his brother Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed leading the Entebbe raid in 1976]]

At MIT, Netanyahu studied a double-load while taking courses at Harvard University, completing his bachelor's degree in architecture in two and a half years, despite taking a break to fight in the Yom Kippur War. Professor Leon B. Groisser at MIT recalled: "He did superbly. He was very bright. Organized. Strong. Powerful. He knew what he wanted to do and how to get it done."<ref name="ball"/>

At that time he changed his name to '''Benjamin''' "'''Ben'''" '''Nitai''' (Nitai, a reference to both Mount Nitai and to the eponymous Jewish sage Nittai of Arbela, was a pen name often used by his father for articles).<ref name=Gresh>{{cite book |last1=Gresh |first1=Alain |last2=Vidal |first2=Dominique |title=The New A–Z of the Middle East |edition=2nd |year=2004 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-86064-326-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newazofmiddleeas0000gres/page/217 217] |url=https://archive.org/details/newazofmiddleeas0000gres/page/217 }}</ref> Years later, in an interview with the media, Netanyahu clarified that he decided to do so to make it easier for Americans to pronounce his name. This fact has been used by his political rivals to accuse him indirectly of a lack of Israeli national identity and loyalty.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ariel |first=Mira |title=Pragmatics and Grammar |series=Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics |year=2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-55018-5}}</ref>

==Early career== Netanyahu worked as an economic consultant<ref>Mazal Mualem (30 September 2014), [https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/09/benjamin-netanyahu-un-speech-right-wing-peace-camp.html "Netanyahu's rhetoric brings same old message"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328185728/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/09/benjamin-netanyahu-un-speech-right-wing-peace-camp.html |date=28 March 2015 }}, Al-Monitor's Israel Pulse.</ref> for the Boston Consulting Group in Boston, Massachusetts, working at the company between 1976 and 1978. At the Boston Consulting Group, he was a colleague of Mitt Romney, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. Romney described Netanyahu at the time as "a strong personality with a distinct point of view".<ref name="Barbaro">{{cite news |title=A Friendship Dating From 1976 Resonates in 2012 |last=Barbaro |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-benjamin-netanyahu-are-old-friends.html?_r=1&ref=politics&pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 April 2012 |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615145007/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-benjamin-netanyahu-are-old-friends.html?_r=1&ref=politics&pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu said that their "easy communication" was a result of "B.C.G.'s intellectually rigorous boot camp".<ref name="Barbaro"/>

In 1978, Netanyahu appeared on Boston local television, under the name "Ben Nitay", where he argued: "The real core of the conflict is the unfortunate Arab refusal to accept the State of Israel{{nbsp}}... For 20 years the Arabs had both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and if self-determination, as they now say, is the core of the conflict, they could have easily established a Palestinian state."<ref>{{YouTube|9uaXoMIh2tc|Video Benjamin Netanyahu 1978}} (English); [https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Who-is-Ben-Nitay-and-why-does-he-look-so-much-like-Binyamin-Netanyahu Who is Ben Nitay, and why does he look so much like Binyamin Netanyahu?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301045738/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Who-is-Ben-Nitay-and-why-does-he-look-so-much-like-Binyamin-Netanyahu |date=1 March 2015 }}, Jerusalem Post.</ref>

[[File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - Benjamin Netanyahu and Sorin Hershko.jpg|thumb|upright|Netanyahu (right) with Sorin Hershko, a soldier wounded and permanently paralyzed in Operation Entebbe, 2 July 1986]] In 1978, Netanyahu returned to Israel. Between 1978 and 1980, he ran the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute,<ref name="ynetnews.com"/> a non-governmental organization devoted to the study of terrorism. From 1980 to 1982, he was director of marketing for Rim Industries in Jerusalem.<ref>Shirley Anne Warshaw, ''The Clinton Years'' (Infobase Publishing, 2009), p. 240.</ref>

Moshe Arens appointed him as his Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., while Arens was ambassador to the United States, a position he held from 1982 until 1984.<ref name="netanyahu">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanyahu.org/biography.html |publisher=Netanyahu.org |title=Benjamin Netanyahu |access-date=18 November 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116144653/http://netanyahu.org/biography.html |archive-date=16 November 2012}}</ref> During the 1982 Lebanon War, he was called up for reserve duty in Sayeret Matkal and requested to be released from service, preferring to remain in the US and serve as a spokesperson for Israel in the wake of harsh international criticism of the war. He presented Israel's case to the media during the war and established a highly efficient public relations system in the Israeli embassy.<ref>{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SOm_DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA57|title = The Netanyahu Years|isbn = 978-1-250-08706-5|last1 = Caspit|first1 = Ben|date = 11 July 2017|publisher = Macmillan|access-date = 14 October 2020|archive-date = 20 January 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120164158/https://books.google.com/books?id=SOm_DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA57#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status = live}}</ref> Between 1984 and 1988, Netanyahu served as the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.<ref name="netanyahu" /> Netanyahu was influenced by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, with whom he formed a relationship during the 1980s. He referred to Schneerson as "the most influential man of our time".<ref>David Singer, [https://books.google.com/books?id=QM1hloeMQqgC&pg=PA133 ''American Jewish Yearbook''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512013532/https://books.google.com/books?id=QM1hloeMQqgC&pg=PA133 |date=12 May 2023 }}. AJC, 1998. pp. 133–34.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/1394394/jewish/Truth-vs-Darkness-in-the-United-Nations.htm |title=Truth vs. Darkness in the United Nations |last=Netanyahu |first=Benjamin |date=24 September 2009 |publisher=Chabad.org |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=24 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424194630/http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/1394394/jewish/Truth-vs-Darkness-in-the-United-Nations.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=Netanyahu, Benjamin |year=2011 |title=The Light of Truth at the UN |medium=Speech |url=http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1632210/jewish/The-Light-of-Truth-at-the-UN.htm |publisher=Chabad.org |location=New York City |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411034231/http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1632210/jewish/The-Light-of-Truth-at-the-UN.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Also during the 1980s, Netanyahu became friends with Fred Trump, the father of future U.S. president Donald Trump.<ref name="nymag.com">Sherman, Gabriel (1 June 2016). [http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/06/trump-is-considering-pre-convention-israel-visit.html "Trump Is Considering a Pre-Convention Visit to Israel"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826113558/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/06/trump-is-considering-pre-convention-israel-visit.html |date=26 August 2018 }}. ''New York''.</ref>

== Leader of the Opposition (1993–1996) == Prior to the 1988 Israeli legislative election, Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the Likud party. In the Likud's internal elections, Netanyahu was placed fifth on the party list. Later on he was elected as a Knesset member of the 12th Knesset, and was appointed as a deputy of the foreign minister Moshe Arens, and later on David Levy. Netanyahu and Levy did not cooperate and the rivalry between the two only intensified afterwards. During the Gulf War in early 1991, the English-fluent Netanyahu emerged as the principal spokesman for Israel in media interviews on CNN and other news outlets. During the Madrid Conference of 1991 Netanyahu was a member of the Israeli delegation headed by Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. After the Madrid Conference Netanyahu was appointed as Deputy Minister in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.<ref name="netanyahu" />

Following the defeat of the Likud party in the 1992 Israeli legislative elections the Likud party held a party leadership election in 1993, and Netanyahu was victorious, defeating Benny Begin, son of the late prime minister Menachem Begin, and veteran politician David Levy<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu wins battle for leadership of Likud |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/netanyahu-wins-battle-for-leadership-of-likud-1499916.html |work=The Independent |location=London |date=26 March 1993 |access-date=11 August 2009 |archive-date=26 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126120627/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/netanyahu-wins-battle-for-leadership-of-likud-1499916.html |url-status=live }}</ref> (Sharon initially sought Likud party leadership as well, but quickly withdrew when it was evident that he was attracting minimal support). Shamir retired from politics shortly after the Likud's defeat in the 1992 elections.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yitzhak Shamir, Former Israeli Prime Minister, Dies at 96 |first=Joel |last=Brinkley |author-link=Joel Brinkley |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/middleeast/yitzhak-shamir-former-prime-minister-of-israel-dies-at-96.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=The New York Times |date=30 June 2012 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=2 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402165555/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/middleeast/yitzhak-shamir-former-prime-minister-of-israel-dies-at-96.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin at the end of a rally in support of the Oslo Accords, Rabin's temporary successor Shimon Peres decided to call early elections in order to give the government a mandate to advance the peace process.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli elections will test support for peace |first=Jerrold |last=Kessel |url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9602/israel_elex/02-11/index.html |work=CNN |date=11 February 1996 |access-date=10 March 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003749/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9602/israel_elex/02-11/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Netanyahu was the Likud's candidate for prime minister in the 1996 Israeli legislative election which took place on 29 May 1996 and were the first Israeli elections in which Israelis elected their prime minister directly.<ref name="Schmemann-1996">{{Cite news |last=Schmemann |first=Serge |date=30 May 1996 |title=THE ISRAELI VOTE: THE OVERVIEW;Election for Prime Minister of Israel Is a Dead Heat |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/30/world/israeli-vote-overview-election-for-prime-minister-israel-dead-heat.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129220040/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/30/world/israeli-vote-overview-election-for-prime-minister-israel-dead-heat.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu hired American political operative Arthur Finkelstein to run his campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Joseph |date=26 May 1996 |title=He Had Pataki's Ear; Now It's Netanyahu's |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/26/world/he-had-pataki-s-ear-now-it-s-netanyahu-s.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129220040/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/26/world/he-had-pataki-s-ear-now-it-s-netanyahu-s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu won the 1996 election, becoming the youngest person in the history of the position and the first Israeli prime minister to be born in the State of Israel (Yitzhak Rabin was born in Jerusalem, under the British Mandate of Palestine, prior to the 1948 founding of the Israeli state).<ref name="Schmemann-1996" />

Netanyahu's victory over the pre-election favorite Shimon Peres surprised many. The main catalyst in the downfall of the latter was a wave of suicide bombings shortly before the elections; on 3 and 4 March 1996, Palestinians carried out two suicide bombings, killing 32 Israelis, with Peres seemingly unable to stop the attacks. During the campaign, Netanyahu stressed that progress in the peace process would be based on the Palestinian National Authority fulfilling its obligations – mainly fighting terrorism – and the Likud campaign slogan was, "Netanyahu – making a safe peace". Although Netanyahu won the election for prime minister, Peres's Israeli Labor Party received more seats in the Knesset elections. Netanyahu had to rely on a coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and UTJ in order to form a government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 |url=https://en.idi.org.il/israeli-elections-and-parties/elections/1996/ |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |language=en}}</ref>

== Prime Minister (1996–1999) ==

{{Further|Twenty-seventh government of Israel}} [[File:P.M. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SHAKING HANDS WITH PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN YASSER ARAFAT (3x4 cropped).jpg|thumb |upright=.8|Netanyahu's first meeting with Palestinian president Yasser Arafat at the Erez crossing, 4 September 1996]] The months leading up to the 1996 Israeli election were marred by Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. After the Shin Bet assassinated Hamas military leader Yahya Ayyash on 5 January 1996, Mohammed Deif, commander of the Qassam Brigades, organized a bombing campaign inside Israel as retaliation, including the Dizengoff Center suicide bombing and Jaffa Road bus bombings. It has been alleged that Syria and Iran had helped in their planning and financing. According to a report, Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass instructed Ghazi Kanaan to establish links between Hezbollah and Hamas fighters, who were then trained in Lebanon and Iran and participated in the retaliatory operations.<ref name="meib">{{cite journal |last=Gambill |first=Gary C. |date=October 2002 |title=Sponsoring Terrorism: Syria and Hamas |url=http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0210_s1.htm |url-status=dead |journal=Middle East Intelligence Bulletin |volume=4 |issue=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205025415/https://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0210_s1.htm |archive-date=5 December 2019 |access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Inquirer |date=19 May 1996 |title=Israel Arrests A Hamas Leader Hassan Salameh Was Shot And Wounded In A Chase. He Is Believed To Have Planned Three Of This Year's Bombings |url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-05-19/news/25624331_1_hassan-salameh-israel-arrests-israeli-troops |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235827/http://articles.philly.com/1996-05-19/news/25624331_1_hassan-salameh-israel-arrests-israeli-troops |archive-date=3 March 2016 |accessdate=29 October 2014 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |agency=INQUIRER WIRE SERVICES}}</ref> Hamas operative Hassan Salameh, who planned three of the attacks, was trained in Iran.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kelly |first1=Michael |title=Bus on Jaffa Road: A Story of Middle East Terrorism and the Search for Justice |date=2014 |publisher=Lyons Press |pages=164–179}}</ref>

According to Ronen Bergman, Deif's bombing campaign and the Israeli intelligence services failure to prevent it, was a factor that led to the defeat of Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party in the 1996 Israeli general election and victory of the Likud party of Netanyahu, who opposed the Oslo Accords. Bergman writes that "after the election, the attacks stopped for almost a year. Some said this was because of Arafat's campaign against Hamas, and the arrest of many members of its military wing. Others believed that Hamas no longer had any reason to carry out suicide attacks, because Netanyahu had already almost completely stopped the peace process, which was the short-term goal of the attacks anyway."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bergman |first=Ronen |url=https://theswissbay.ch/pdf/Books/Politics/Rise%20and%20Kill%20First%20The%20Secret%20History%20of%20Israel%E2%80%99s%20Targeted%20Assassinations%20by%20Ronen%20Bergman%20%28z-lib.org%29.pdf |title=Rise and Kill First – The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations |date=2018 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9781400069712 |location=New York |translator-last=Hope |translator-first=Ronnie}}</ref>

Netanyahu first met Palestinian president Arafat on 4 September 1996. Prior to the meeting, they spoke by telephone.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9609/04/araf.netan.preview/index.html Arafat, Netanyahu shake hands, begin talks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227063950/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9609/04/araf.netan.preview/index.html |date=27 February 2021 }} 4 September 1996, CNN.</ref> The meetings continued through Autumn 1996. On their first meeting, Netanyahu said: "I would like to emphasize that we have to take into account the needs and the requirements of both sides on the basis of reciprocity and the assurance of the security and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinian alike." Arafat said: "We are determined to work with Mr. Netanyahu and with his government."<ref>[http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/MFADocuments/Yearbook11/Pages/20%20Joint%20press%20conference%20with%20Prime%20Minister%20Neta.aspx Joint press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu and PA Chairman Arafat, 4 September 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328103013/http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/MFADocuments/Yearbook11/Pages/20%20Joint%20press%20conference%20with%20Prime%20Minister%20Neta.aspx |date=28 March 2018 }} Vol. 16: 1996–1997, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.</ref> The talks culminated on 14 January 1997, in the signing of the Hebron Protocol.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/14/hebron.late Netanyahu, Arafat shake hands on Hebron accord] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729055654/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/14/hebron.late/ |date=29 July 2020 }} 14 January 1997, CNN.</ref>

In 1996, Netanyahu and Jerusalem's mayor Ehud Olmert decided to open an exit in the Muslim Quarter for the Western Wall Tunnel, which Peres had put on hold for the sake of peace.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Nomi |last2=Silver |first2=Eric |date=7 October 1996 |title=Israel Opens Disputed Tunnel |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/macleans/israel-opens-disputed-tunnel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020014235/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/macleans/israel-opens-disputed-tunnel |archive-date=20 October 2012 |access-date=9 March 2013 |work=Maclean's}}</ref> This sparked three days of rioting by Palestinians, resulting in dozens of Israelis and Palestinians being killed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wyler |first=Grace |date=31 January 2013 |title=Step Inside The Hidden Tunnels Under Jerusalem's Sacred Western Wall |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/western-wall-tunnels-israel-jerusalem-temple-photos-2013-1?op=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409144623/http://www.businessinsider.com/western-wall-tunnels-israel-jerusalem-temple-photos-2013-1?op=1 |archive-date=9 April 2013 |access-date=10 March 2013 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

[[File:President Clinton has lunch with King Hussein of Jordan, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority in the White House libra - DPLA - 7704acf9ea5fde994cd2d01f84d89394.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with President Bill Clinton, King Hussein of Jordan and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in October 1996]] Lack of progress in the peace process led to new negotiations which produced the Wye River Memorandum in 1998, which detailed the steps to be taken by the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to implement the Interim Agreement of 1995. It was signed by Netanyahu and Arafat, and on 17 November 1998, Israel's 120 member parliament, the Knesset, approved the Wye River Memorandum by 75–19. In a nod to the 1967 Khartoum Conference, Netanyahu emphasized a policy of "three no(s)": no withdrawal from the Golan Heights, no discussion of the case of Jerusalem, no negotiations under any preconditions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smi.uib.no/pao/hawas.html |title=The new alliance: Turkey and Israel |last=Hawas |first=Akram T. |work=The fourth Nordic conference on Middle Eastern Studies: The Middle East in globalizing world |location=Oslo |date=13–16 August 1998 |access-date=12 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222112048/http://www.smi.uib.no/pao/hawas.html |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1997 Ali Fallahian, the Iranian Intelligence Minister, authorized a Hamas bombing campaign to disrupt the peace process, and Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, picked Mahmoud Abu Hanoud, a bomb-maker in the West Bank, to construct the bombs, and sent suicide bombers to detonate them simultaneously in Jerusalem in the 30 July Mahane Yehuda market bombings and 4 September Ben Yehuda street bombings, killing 21 Israelis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stern v. Islamic Republic of Iran 2 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2563893/stern-v-islamic-republic-of-iran/|website=Court Listener}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Campuzano v. Islamic Republic of Iran |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2493957/campuzano-v-islamic-republic-of-iran|website=Court Listener}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/8769188/rubin-v-islamic-republic-of-iran|website=Court Listener}}</ref> In 1997, Netanyahu authorized a Mossad operation to assassinate Mashal in Jordan, just three years after the two countries had signed a peace treaty.<ref name="inc1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/9730669/Khaled-Meshaal-How-Mossad-bid-to-assassinate-Hamas-leader-ended-in-fiasco.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/9730669/Khaled-Meshaal-How-Mossad-bid-to-assassinate-Hamas-leader-ended-in-fiasco.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Khaled Meshaal: How Mossad bid to assassinate Hamas leader ended in fiasco|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=7 December 2012|access-date=4 May 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Mossad team, covering as five Canadian tourists, entered Jordan on 27 September and injected poison into Mashal's ears in a street in Amman.<ref name="inc1"/> The plot was exposed and two agents were arrested by Jordanian police while three others hid in the Israeli embassy which was then surrounded by troops.<ref name="inc1"/> An angry King Hussein demanded Israel to give the antidote and threatened to annul the peace treaty.<ref name="inc"/> Netanyahu relented after pressure by US President Bill Clinton and ordered the release of 61 Jordanian and Palestinian prisoners including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.<ref name="inc1"/> The incident sent the nascent Israeli-Jordanian relations plummeting.<ref name="inc">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DjAyc8Ru7RoC&pg=PA130|title=Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace, Second Edition: Patterns, Problems, Possibilities|author1=Laura Zittrain Eisenberg|author2=Neil Caplan|page=130|publisher=Indiana University Press|date=2010|access-date=4 May 2019|isbn=978-0-253-00457-4|archive-date=20 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120164209/https://books.google.com/books?id=DjAyc8Ru7RoC&pg=PA130#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Houghton house Netanyahu Albright Arafat.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu sitting with U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Palestinian president Yasser Arafat at the Wye River Memorandum, 1998]] Mashal's antidote only secured the release of the two Mossad Kidon agents carrying out the assassination attempt. At least six other Mossad agents involved were holed up in the Israeli embassy. King Hussein would only release them if Israel released Ahmed Yassin and a large number of other Palestinian prisoners. Hussein needed the demands to be "enough to enable the king to be able to publicly defend the release of the hit team."<ref>{{Cite book |author=Bergman, Ronen |title=Rise and kill first: The secret history of Israel 's targeted assassinations |isbn=978-1-4736-9474-3 |chapter=Chapter 26 |year=2019 |publisher=John Murray |oclc=1107670006}}</ref>

On the same day that Hamas bombed Ben Yehuda street, Hezbollah executed the Ansariya ambush on the IDF's naval special forces Shayetet 13, killing 12 Israeli commandos. On 25 May 1998, the remains and body parts of at least three soldiers who died in the Ansariya ambush were exchanged for 65 Lebanese prisoners and the bodies of 40 Hezbollah fighters and Lebanese soldiers captured by Israel.<ref name=MFA>{{cite news|url = http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/2004/Pages/Background%20on%20Israeli%20POWs%20and%20MIAs.aspx |title=Background on Israeli POWs and MIAs |publisher=MFA |date=26 January 2004 |access-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219222646/http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFA-Archive/2004/Pages/Background%20on%20Israeli%20POWs%20and%20MIAs.aspx|archive-date=19 December 2013 }}</ref> Netanyahu called it "one of the worst tragedies that has ever occurred to us".<ref>Blanford 2011, p. 193.</ref>

Netanyahu began a process of economic liberalization, taking steps towards a free-market economy. The government began selling its shares in banks and state-run companies. Netanyahu eased Israel's strict foreign exchange controls, enabling Israelis to take an unrestricted amount of money out of the country, open foreign bank accounts, hold foreign currency, and invest freely in other countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel Reforms Economy on Eve of Independence Day |url=https://www.jta.org/1998/04/29/archive/israel-reforms-economy-on-eve-of-independence-day-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924030357/https://www.jta.org/1998/04/29/archive/israel-reforms-economy-on-eve-of-independence-day-2 |archive-date=24 September 2019 |access-date=18 March 2014 |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schmemann |first=Serge |date=26 July 1997 |title=In Fight Over Privatization, Netanyahu Wins a Round |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/26/world/in-fight-over-privatization-netanyahu-wins-a-round.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607003150/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/26/world/in-fight-over-privatization-netanyahu-wins-a-round.html |archive-date=7 June 2019 |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

thumb|upright|Netanyahu with his son Yair at the Western Wall in 1998 Netanyahu was opposed by the left and lost support from the right because of his concessions to the Palestinians in Hebron and elsewhere, and his negotiations with Arafat. Netanyahu lost favor with the public after a chain of scandals involving his marriage and corruption charges. In 1997, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges for influence-peddling. He was accused of appointing an attorney general who would reduce the charges but prosecutors ruled there was insufficient evidence to go to trial.<ref name="latimes_corruption">{{cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Tracy |date=29 March 2000 |title=Israeli Police Want Netanyahu, Wife Indicted Over Handling of State Gifts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-29-mn-13783-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111155816/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/mar/29/news/mn-13783 |archive-date=11 January 2012 |access-date=11 July 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> In 1999, Netanyahu faced another scandal when the Israel Police recommended he be tried for corruption for $100,000 in free services from a government contractor; Israel's attorney general did not prosecute, citing difficulties with evidence.<ref name="corruption">{{cite news |date=11 February 2009 |title=Netanyahu Corruption Charges Dropped |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/netanyahu-corruption-charges-dropped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307181428/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/09/27/world/main236708.shtml |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=11 July 2011 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> The Israeli failures against Hamas and Hezbollah under Netanyahu's first premiership, and the resulting release of imprisoned Palestinian and Lebanese leaders dealt a blow to Netanyahu's rhetoric of a "tough stance" towards enemies of Israel, and played a role in his defeat in the 1999 Israeli general election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=The long and bitter relationship between Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/01/26/1226691760/the-long-and-bitter-relationship-between-israels-benjamin-netanyahu-and-hamas |website=NPR}}</ref>

==Political hiatus (1999–2003)== After being defeated by Ehud Barak in the 1999 Israeli prime ministerial election, Netanyahu temporarily retired from politics.<ref name=bio>{{cite news |title=Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3064466,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=28 March 2005 |access-date=5 August 2009 |archive-date=29 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129090949/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3064466,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently served as a senior consultant with Israeli communications equipment manufacturer BATM Advanced Communications for two years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu Now High-Tech Consultant |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-03-mn-62127-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=3 August 1999 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=20 September 2012 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232838/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/aug/03/news/mn-62127 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Freund |first=Oren |script-title=he:חברת העבר של בנימין נתניהו נרשמה למסחר בבורסה בת"א |url=http://www.themarker.com/markets/1.1826447 |newspaper=TheMarker |date=19 September 2012 |language=He |trans-title=Past company of Benjamin Netanyahu listed for trade on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange |access-date=16 March 2010 |archive-date=22 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922091810/http://www.themarker.com/markets/1.1826447 |url-status=live }}</ref>

With the fall of the Barak government in late 2000, Netanyahu expressed his desire to return to politics. By law, Barak's resignation was supposed to lead to elections for the prime minister position only. Netanyahu insisted that general elections should be held, claiming that otherwise it would be impossible to have a stable government. Netanyahu decided eventually not to run for the prime minister position, a move which facilitated the rise to power of Ariel Sharon, who at the time was considered less popular than Netanyahu. In 2002, after the Israeli Labor Party left the coalition and vacated the position of foreign minister, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appointed Netanyahu as foreign minister.<ref name="netanyahu" /> Netanyahu challenged Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party in the 2002 Likud leadership election, but failed to oust him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sharon Beats Netanyahu in Likud Primary |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/sharon-beats-netanyahu-in-likud-primary |work=Fox News Channel |date=28 November 2002 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828161003/http://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,71685,00.html |archive-date=28 August 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 September 2002, a scheduled speech by Netanyahu at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was canceled after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters overwhelmed security and smashed through a window. Netanyahu was not present at the protest, having remained at his hotel throughout the duration. He later accused the activists of supporting terrorism and "mad zealotry".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cautbulletin.ca/en_article.asp?ArticleID=1405 |title=Concordia University Imposes Ban on Middle East Events |publisher=Canadian Association of University Teachers |access-date=4 March 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221225/http://www.cautbulletin.ca/en_article.asp?ArticleID=1405 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Weeks later in October around 200 protesters met Netanyahu outside his Heinz Hall appearance in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Police, Israeli security and a Pittsburgh SWAT unit allowed his speeches to continue downtown at the hall and the Duquesne Club as well as suburban Robert Morris University.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu says U.S. should topple Saddam |first1=Steve |last1=Levin |first2=Dennis |last2=Roddy |first3=Bill |last3=Schackner |first4=Nate |last4=Guidry |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/World/20021002netanyahu2.asp |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=2 October 2002 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=14 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114054149/http://old.post-gazette.com/World/20021002netanyahu2.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 12 September 2002, Netanyahu lobbied for the invasion of Iraq, testifying under oath as a private citizen before the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Committee regarding the alleged nuclear threat posed by the Iraqi régime: "There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking and is working and is advancing towards the development of nuclear weapons…"<ref>{{cite episode|title=Israeli Perspective on Conflict with Iraq|date=12 September 2002|publisher=C-SPAN|series=U.S. House of Representatives|url=https://www.c-span.org/program/house-committee/israeli-perspective-on-conflict-with-iraq/125088|access-date=9 June 2025|transcript=Serial No. 107–139|transcript-url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-107hhrg83514/pdf/CHRG-107hhrg83514.pdf}}</ref><ref name="kerry" /> He also testified, "If you take out Saddam, Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."<ref name="kerry">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/world/middleeast/kerry-reminds-congress-netanyahu-advised-us-to-invade-iraq.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227204214/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/world/middleeast/kerry-reminds-congress-netanyahu-advised-us-to-invade-iraq.html |archive-date=27 February 2015 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Kerry Reminds Congress Netanyahu Advised U.S. to Invade Iraq|date=25 February 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=9 May 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Minister of Finance (2003–2005) == After the 2003 Israeli legislative election, in what many observers regarded as a surprise move, Sharon offered the Foreign Ministry to Silvan Shalom and offered Netanyahu the Finance Ministry. Some pundits speculated that Sharon made the move because he deemed Netanyahu a political threat given his demonstrated effectiveness as foreign minister, and that by placing him in the Finance Ministry during a time of economic uncertainty, he could diminish Netanyahu's popularity. Netanyahu accepted the new appointment. Sharon and Netanyahu came to an agreement that Netanyahu would have complete freedom as finance minister and have Sharon back all of his reforms, in exchange for Netanyahu's silence over Sharon's management of Israel's military and foreign affairs.<ref name=marketwatch>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3-economic-lessons-from-ariel-sharon-2014-01-13|title=3 economic lessons from Ariel Sharon|first=Amotz|last=Asa-El|publisher=MarketWatch|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063252/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3-economic-lessons-from-ariel-sharon-2014-01-13|url-status=live}}</ref>

As finance minister, Netanyahu undertook an economic plan in order to restore Israel's economy from its low point during the Second Intifada.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Thomas G. |title=Likud Leaders |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-9713-3 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |page=186}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 2004 |title=Netanyahu Gets Tough to Transform Israel's Economy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/world/middleeast/netanyahu-gets-tough-to-transform-israels-economy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029190644/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/24/world/middleeast/netanyahu-gets-tough-to-transform-israels-economy.html |archive-date=29 October 2023 |access-date=4 January 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Netanyahu claimed that a bloated public sector and excessive regulations were largely responsible for stifling economic growth. His plan involved a move toward more liberalized markets, although it was not without its critics. He instituted a program to end welfare dependency by requiring people to apply for jobs or training, reduced the size of the public sector, froze government spending for three years, and capped the budget deficit at 1%. The taxation system was streamlined and taxes were cut, with the top individual tax rate reduced from 64% to 44% and the corporate tax rate from 36% to 18%. A host of state assets worth billions of dollars were privatized, including banks, oil refineries, the El Al national airline, and Zim Integrated Shipping Services. The retirement ages for both men and women were raised, and currency exchange laws were further liberalized. Commercial banks were forced to spin off their long-term savings. In addition, Netanyahu attacked monopolies and cartels to increase competition. As the Israeli economy started booming and unemployment fell significantly, Netanyahu was widely credited by commentators as having performed an 'economic miracle' by the end of his tenure.<ref name=marketwatch/><ref name="Likud Leaders 2015">''Likud Leaders'', Thomas G. Mitchell, McFarland (March 2015), Chapter 10.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/taxanalysts/2015/11/13/netanyahus-economic-reforms-and-the-laffer-curve/|title=Netanyahu's Economic Reforms And The Laffer Curve|magazine=Forbes|first=Jeremy|last=Scott|date=13 November 2015|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=13 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013115126/https://www.forbes.com/sites/taxanalysts/2015/11/13/netanyahus-economic-reforms-and-the-laffer-curve/|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, opponents in the Labor party (and even a few within his own Likud) viewed Netanyahu's policies as "Thatcherite" attacks on the venerated Israeli social safety net.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gil |last=Hoffman |title=Netanyahu: Sharon is a dictator |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=5323 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=21 November 2005 |access-date=17 June 2012 |archive-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127203942/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=5323 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, unemployment declined while economic growth soared, the debt-to-GDP ratio dropped to one of the lowest in the world, and foreign investment reached record highs.<ref name=marketwatch/>

Netanyahu threatened to resign from office in 2004 unless the Gaza pullout plan was put to a referendum. He later modified the ultimatum and voted for the program in the Knesset, indicating immediately thereafter that he would resign unless a referendum was held within 14 days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Knesset approves PM Sharon's disengagement plan |first1=Gideon |last1=Alon |first2=Mazal |last2=Mualem |first3=Nadav |last3=Shragai |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/knesset-approves-pm-sharon-s-disengagement-plan-1.138398 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=26 October 2004 |access-date=10 March 2013 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020182115/http://www.haaretz.com/news/knesset-approves-pm-sharon-s-disengagement-plan-1.138398 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He submitted his resignation letter on 7 August 2005, shortly before the Israeli cabinet voted 17 to 5 to approve the initial phase of withdrawal from Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Farrell |title=Netanyahu resigns from Cabinet over Gaza withdrawal |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article552940.ece |work=The Times |location=London |date=8 August 2005 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814102843/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article552940.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Leader of the Opposition (2006–2009) == Following the withdrawal of Sharon from the Likud, Netanyahu was one of several candidates who vied for the Likud leadership.<ref name="xinh" /> His most recent attempt prior to this was in September 2005 when he had tried to hold early primaries for the position of the head of the Likud party, while the party held the office of prime minister – thus effectively pushing Ariel Sharon out of office. The party rejected this initiative. Netanyahu retook the leadership on 20 December 2005, with 47% of the primary vote, to 32% for Silvan Shalom and 15% for Moshe Feiglin.<ref name=xinh>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu elected as Likud party chairman |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/20/content_3944753.htm |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=20 December 2005 |access-date=27 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060227183818/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/20/content_3944753.htm |archive-date=27 February 2006}}</ref> In the March 2006 Knesset elections, Likud took the third place behind Kadima and Labor and Netanyahu served as Leader of the Opposition.<ref name=poor>{{cite news |last=Marciano |first=Ilan |title=Likud stunned by collapse |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3233422,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=27 July 2009 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018142718/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3233422,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 August 2007, Netanyahu was reelected as chairman of the Likud and its candidate for the post of prime minister with 73% of the vote, against far-right candidate Moshe Feiglin and World Likud chairman Danny Danon.<ref name=feig>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu wins Likud leadership |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6947176.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=15 August 2007 |access-date=11 August 2009 |archive-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728140625/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6947176.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> He opposed the 2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire, like others in the Knesset opposition. Specifically, Netanyahu said: "This is not a relaxation, it's an Israeli agreement to the rearming of Hamas ... What are we getting for this?"<ref name=wash>{{cite news |last=Mitnick |first=Joshua |title=Olmert: Truce with Hamas 'fragile' |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/20/olmert-says-truce-with-hamas-fragile/ |work=The Washington Times |date=20 June 2008 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124115016/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jun/20/olmert-says-truce-with-hamas-fragile/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following Tzipi Livni's election to head Kadima and Olmert's resignation from the post of prime minister, Netanyahu declined to join the coalition Livni was trying to form and supported new elections, which were held in February 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tran |first=Mark |title=Netanyahu calls for new Israeli elections |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/31/israelandthepalestinians1 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=31 July 2008 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=19 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919025443/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/31/israelandthepalestinians1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu rejects Livni's call for unity government |first=Mazal |last=Mualem |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-rejects-livni-s-call-for-unity-government-1.254503 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=24 September 2008 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=24 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824232315/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-rejects-livni-s-call-for-unity-government-1.254503 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Netanyahu was the Likud's candidate for prime minister in the 2009 Israeli legislative election which took place on 10 February 2009, as Livni, the previous designated acting prime minister under the Olmert government, had been unable to form a viable governing coalition. Opinion polls showed Likud in the lead, but with as many as a third of Israeli voters undecided.<ref>{{cite news |first=Marie |last=Colvin |title=Netanyahu stokes fears to take poll lead |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5683360.ece |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=8 February 2009 |access-date=8 February 2009 |archive-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214205555/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5683360.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the election itself, Likud won the second highest number of seats, Livni's party having outnumbered the Likud by one seat. A possible explanation for Likud's relatively poor showing is that some Likud supporters defected to Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party. Netanyahu, however, claimed victory on the basis that right-wing parties won the majority of the vote, and on 20 February 2009, Netanyahu was designated by Israeli President Shimon Peres to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister, and began his negotiations to form a coalition government.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=20 February 2009 |title=Netanyahu to Form New Israel Government |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/world/middleeast/21israel.html |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Despite right wing parties winning a majority of 65 seats in the Knesset, Netanyahu preferred a broader centrist coalition and turned to his Kadima rivals, chaired by Tzipi Livni, to join his government. This time it was Livni's turn to decline to join, with a difference of opinion on how to pursue the peace process being the stumbling block. Netanyahu did manage to entice a smaller rival, the Labor Party, chaired by Ehud Barak, to join his government, giving him a certain amount of centrist tone. Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset "Vote of Confidence" on 31 March 2009. The 32nd Government was approved that day by a majority of 69 lawmakers to 45 (with five abstaining) and the members were sworn in.<ref name="swornh">{{cite news |date=31 March 2009 |title=Netanyahu sworn in as Israel's prime minister |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-sworn-in-as-israel-s-prime-minister-1.273265 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022143957/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-sworn-in-as-israel-s-prime-minister-1.273265 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |access-date=10 March 2013 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref><ref name="swornr">{{cite news |last=Heller |first=Jeffrey |date=31 March 2009 |title=Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli prime minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-idUSTRE52U4VH20090331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141329/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/03/31/us-israel-idUSTRE52U4VH20090331 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=10 March 2013 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

== Prime Minister (2009–2021) ==

=== Second term === {{Further|Thirty-second government of Israel}} [[File:Med-Netan.jpeg|thumb|Netanyahu in a meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev in Russia, 24 March 2011]] [[File:Benjamin Netanyahu and Yohanan Danino 2012.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with Yohanan Danino, appointed Israel's chief of police in 2011]] In 2009, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state – a solution not endorsed by Netanyahu,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\story_4-3-2009_pg4_1 |title=Clinton pledges to press for Palestinian state |work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan |date=4 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113111947/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C03%5C04%5Cstory_4-3-2009_pg4_1 |archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> with whom she had pledged US cooperation.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Israel, Clinton pledges to work with new government |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/world/africa/03iht-mideast.1.20555576.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014095518/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/world/africa/03iht-mideast.1.20555576.html |archive-date=14 October 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 March 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> Netanyahu said negotiations with the Palestinians would be conditioned on them recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel demands Palestinians recognize Jewish state |first=Ari |last=Rabinovitch |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-demands-palestinians-recognize-jewish-state-250620 |website=International Business Times |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617115214/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-demands-palestinians-recognize-jewish-state-250620 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During Obama's 2009 Cairo speech Obama stated that the US, "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements."<ref name="unarmed">{{Cite web |date=14 June 2009 |title=Israel Accepts Unarmed Palestinian State |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-accepts-unarmed-palestinian-state/ |access-date=8 January 2024 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108010029/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-accepts-unarmed-palestinian-state/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 June, ten days after Obama's speech, Netanyahu gave a speech in which he endorsed a "Demilitarized Palestinian State".<ref name="Hatz 14Jun2009">{{cite news |date=14 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu backs demilitarized Palestinian state |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-backs-demilitarized-palestinian-state-1.277915 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531053243/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-backs-demilitarized-palestinian-state-1.277915 |archive-date=31 May 2011 |access-date=14 May 2012 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> Netanyahu stated he would accept a Palestinian state if Jerusalem were to remain the united capital of Israel, the Palestinians would have no army, and give up their demand for a right of return. He argued the right for a "natural growth" in the existing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, while their permanent status was up for negotiation.<ref name="unarmed" /> He endorsed for the first time a Palestinian state alongside Israel.<ref name="lays">{{cite news |last=Keinon |first=Herb |author-link=Herb Keinon |date=14 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu wants demilitarized PA state |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=145486 |access-date=6 March 2013 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> He stated he would be willing to meet with any "Arab leader" for negotiations without preconditions, mentioning Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.<ref name="lays" /> The address represented a new position for Netanyahu's government.<ref name="huff">{{cite news |last=Federman |first=Josef |date=14 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu Peace Speech: Israeli Prime Minister Appeals To Arab Leaders For Peace |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/14/netanyahu-peace-speech-is_n_215337.html |access-date=14 June 2009 |work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>

Right-wing members of Netanyahu's coalition criticized his remarks for the creation of a Palestinian State, believing all the land should come under Israeli sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sofer |first=Roni |date=15 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu defends speech to party hardliners |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3731827,00.html |access-date=17 September 2009 |publisher=Ynetnews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 June 2009 |title=Likud members say PM gave in to US pressure |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3731290,00.html |access-date=17 September 2009 |work=Ynet}}</ref> Opposition party Kadima leader Tzipi Livni opined that Netanyahu did not really believe in the two-state solution and that his speech was a response to international pressure.<ref name="Livni">{{cite news |date=7 July 2009 |title=Livni: Netanyahu doesn't believe in two-state solution |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/livni-netanyahu-doesn-t-believe-in-two-state-solution-1.279472 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009183242/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/livni-netanyahu-doesn-t-believe-in-two-state-solution-1.279472 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 October 2013 |access-date=16 March 2013 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> Netanyahu's speech provoked mixed reaction internationally.<ref name="rfi">{{cite news |date=15 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu speech provokes mix of international reactions |url=http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/114/article_4023.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619043335/http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/114/article_4023.asp |archive-date=19 June 2009 |access-date=16 September 2009 |publisher=Radio France}}</ref> The Palestinian Authority rejected the conditions on a Palestinian State.<ref name="racist">{{cite news |date=14 June 2009 |title=Hamas slams Netanyahu's 'racist, extremist' ideology |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3731300,00.html |access-date=11 August 2009 |work=Ynet}}</ref> Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said the speech had "closed the door to permanent status negotiations" due to Netanyahu's declarations on Jerusalem, refugees and settlements.<ref name="unarmed" /> Hamas said it was "racist"<ref name="racist" /> and called on Arab nations to "form stronger opposition".<ref name="huff" /> The Arab League dismissed the speech, declaring that "Arabs would not make concessions regarding issues of Jerusalem and refugees".<ref name="xin">{{cite news |author1=Muhammad Yamany |author2=Chen Gongzheng |date=15 June 2009 |title=Netanyahu's speech vexes Arabs |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/16/content_11548122.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616232616/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/16/content_11548122.htm |archive-date=16 June 2009 |access-date=16 June 2009 |publisher=Xinhua News Agency}}</ref> The EU noted "...this is a step in the right direction. The acceptance of a Palestinian state was present there".<ref name="eu1">{{cite news |last=John |first=Mark |date=15 June 2009 |title=EU gives cautious welcome to Netanyahu speech |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40333120090615 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062917/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-40333120090615 |archive-date=2 January 2016 |access-date=16 March 2013 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Obama's press secretary said the speech was an "important step forward".<ref name="xin" /><ref>{{cite news |date=14 June 2009 |title=White House reacts to Netanyahu's speech |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/14/white-house-reacts-to-netanyahus-speech/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828090154/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/14/white-house-reacts-to-netanyahus-speech/ |archive-date=28 August 2012 |access-date=16 September 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Obama said "this solution can and must ensure both Israel's security and the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for a viable state".<ref name="rfi" /> France praised the speech and called on Israel to cease building settlements in the West Bank.<ref name="rfi" /><ref name="eu1" />

Three months after starting his term, Netanyahu remarked that his cabinet had established a working national unity government, and broad consensus for a "two-state solution".<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: We have consensus on two-state solution |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-we-have-consensus-on-two-state-solution-1.279374 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=5 July 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105003401/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-we-have-consensus-on-two-state-solution-1.279374 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A July 2009 survey found most Israelis supported the government, giving Netanyahu an approval rating of 49 percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poll Gives Netanyahu Positive Marks Despite Rift with US |first=Robert |last=Berger |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-07-03-voa19-68745072/410252.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=3 July 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124193621/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2009-07-03-voa19-68745072/410252.html |archive-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu lifted checkpoints in the West Bank to allow free movement and flow of imports; which resulted in an economic boost.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nablus booms as barriers fall in occupied West Bank |first=Leigh |last=Baldwin |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/Aug/11/Nablus-booms-as-barriers-fall-in-occupied-West-Bank.ashx |newspaper=The Daily Star |location=Lebanon |date=11 August 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721213049/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/Aug/11/Nablus-booms-as-barriers-fall-in-occupied-West-Bank.ashx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Thomas Friedman |title=Green Shoots in Palestine II |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09friedman.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |author-link=Thomas Friedman |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011508/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09friedman.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, Netanyahu welcomed the Arab Peace initiative and lauded a call by Bahrain's Crown Prince to normalize relations with Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu supports Arab peace initiative |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/24/Netanyahu-supports-Arab-peace-initiative/UPI-32111248433108/ |publisher=United Press International |date=24 July 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128030318/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/24/Netanyahu-supports-Arab-peace-initiative/UPI-32111248433108/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu to Arabs: Saudi plan can help bring peace |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-to-arabs-saudi-plan-can-help-bring-peace-1.280615 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512045053/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-to-arabs-saudi-plan-can-help-bring-peace-1.280615 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In August 2009 Netanyahu said: "We want...recognition of Israel as the national state of the Jewish people and...a security settlement".<ref name="sofer" /> Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas declared he would be willing to meet with Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly, where Netanyahu had accepted Obama's invitation for a "triple summit".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767480,00.html|title=Palestinians: Abbas open to meeting with Netanyahu|last=Waked|first=Ali|date=26 September 2009|publisher=Ynetnews|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827201019/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767480,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Netanyahu was reported to be in a pivotal moment, thinking about a compromise over permission on continuing the already approved construction in the West Bank, in exchange for freezing all settlements thereafter, as well as continuing building in East Jerusalem, and stopping demolition of Arab houses there.<ref name="Maariv1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/937/362.html|script-title=he:התוכנית האמריקאית: פסגה צנועה והצהרת עקרונות|last=Bengal|first=Mia|date=2 September 2009|publisher=Maariv|language=he|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904201450/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/937/362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September, it was reported Netanyahu was to agree to settlers' political demands to approve more settlement constructions before a temporary settlement freeze agreement took place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel to Approve More Settlement Construction Before Freeze |first=Robert |last=Berger |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-09-04-voa19-68663332/408369.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235431/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2009-09-04-voa19-68663332/408369.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> White House spokesman Robert Gibbs expressed regret over the move.<ref>{{cite news |title=US, EU slam Netanyahu's approval of construction |first=Yitzhak |last=Benhorin |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3772205,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=25 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725053442/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3772205,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 September, Netanyahu left his office without reporting his destination. His military secretary reported Netanyahu had visited a security facility in Israel.<ref name="dis-1">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3774201,00.html|title=Report: PM held secret talks in Russia|date=10 September 2009|publisher=Ynetnews|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911092442/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3774201,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 September, ''Yedioth Ahronoth'' reported that he had made a secret flight to Moscow to try to persuade Russian officials not to sell S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran.<ref name=dis-1/><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu secretly visited Russia: reports |first1=Amie |last1=Ferris-Rotman |first2=Jeffrey |last2=Heller |first3=Philippa |last3=Fletcher |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-russia-idUSTRE5882T420090909 |publisher=Reuters |date=9 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705000908/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/09/us-israel-russia-idUSTRE5882T420090909 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu absence sparks rumours of Russia visit |first1=Vita |last1=Bekker |first2=Charles |last2=Clover |first3=Stefan |last3=Wagstyl |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b5c17af8-9e69-11de-b0aa-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b5c17af8-9e69-11de-b0aa-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=Financial Times |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref> Headlines branded Netanyahu a "liar" and dubbed the affair a "fiasco".<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu draws fire in Israel over secret trip |first=Jeffrey |last=Heller |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu-idUSTRE5891YJ20090910 |publisher=Reuters |date=10 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=16 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216100041/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/10/us-israel-netanyahu-idUSTRE5891YJ20090910 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli PM's secret trip irks media |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/09/20099115339794467.html |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105165242/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/09/20099115339794467.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The military secretary was reportedly dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu aide likely to pay price for 'secret' Russia trip |first=Amos |last=Harel |author-link=Amos Harel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-aide-likely-to-pay-price-for-secret-russia-trip-1.8085 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022202209/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-aide-likely-to-pay-price-for-secret-russia-trip-1.8085 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The Sunday Times'' reported that the trip was made to share the names of Russian scientists Israel believed were abetting Iran's nuclear weapons program.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Uzi |last1=Mahnaimi |author2=Franchetti, Mark |author3=Swain, Jon |title=Israel names Russians helping Iran build nuclear bomb |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6860161.ece |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=4 October 2009 |access-date=4 October 2009 |archive-date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507002115/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6860161.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 24 September 2009, in an address to the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu said Iran posed a threat to world peace and it was incumbent on the UN to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.<ref name="un-1">{{cite news |title=Netanyahu speech / PM slams Gaza probe, challenges UN to confront Iran |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-speech-pm-slams-gaza-probe-challenges-un-to-confront-iran-1.7301 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125153643/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-speech-pm-slams-gaza-probe-challenges-un-to-confront-iran-1.7301 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="un-2">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781710,00.html|title=PM to UN: Iran fueled by fundamentalism|date=24 September 2009|publisher=Ynetnews|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927044400/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781710,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Waving the blueprints for Auschwitz and invoking the memory of his family members murdered by the Nazis, Netanyahu delivered a riposte to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's questioning of the Holocaust, asking: "Have you no shame?"<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's Netanyahu hits back at Iran's Holocaust claims |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Israels-Netanyahu-hits-back-at-Irans-Holocaust-claims/tabid/417/articleID/122747/Default.aspx |publisher=3 News |date=25 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230113/http://www.3news.co.nz/Israels-Netanyahu-hits-back-at-Irans-Holocaust-claims/tabid/417/articleID/122747/Default.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In response to pressure from the Obama administration urging the resumption of peace talks, on 25 November Netanyahu announced a partial 10-month settlement construction freeze. It had no significant effect on actual settlement construction.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz |date=27 November 2009 |title=Analysis: Settlers Have Been Working for Months to Undermine Construction Freeze, Situation on the Ground Suggests that There Will Be Nearly No Change in Settlement Construction |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-settlers-have-been-working-for-months-to-undermine-construction-freeze-1.3310 |access-date=28 September 2010 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105011117/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-settlers-have-been-working-for-months-to-undermine-construction-freeze-1.3310 |url-status=dead }}</ref> U.S. special envoy George J. Mitchell said, "while the United States shares Arab concerns about the limitations of Israel's gesture, it is more than any Israeli government has ever done".<ref>{{cite news |title=US Welcomes Israeli Settlement Move, Urges Palestinians to Enter Negotiations |first=David |last=Gollust |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-welcomes-israeli-settlement-move-urges-palestinians-to-enter-negotiations-73905167/415919.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235421/http://www.voanews.com/content/us-welcomes-israeli-settlement-move-urges-palestinians-to-enter-negotiations-73905167/415919.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu called the move "a painful step that will encourage the peace process" and urged the Palestinians to respond.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cabinet votes on 10-month building freeze |first=Roni |last=Sofer |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3810640,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105043814/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3810640,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Palestinians rejected the call, stating the gesture was "insignificant" in that thousands of approved settlement buildings in the West Bank would continue to be built and there would be no freeze of settlement activity in East Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20091126-palestinans-reject-israeli-partial-settlement-freeze-offer |title=Palestinians reject Netanyahu's offer of partial settlement freeze |date=26 November 2009 |publisher=France 24 |access-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128060132/http://www.france24.com/en/20091126-palestinans-reject-israeli-partial-settlement-freeze-offer |archive-date=28 November 2009 }}</ref>

In March 2010, Israel's government approved construction of an additional 1,600 apartments in a Jewish housing development in northeast Jerusalem called Ramat Shlomo<ref name="jp2010-03-14">{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170912|title='We'll prevent future embarrassments'|date=14 March 2010|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=17 March 2010|archive-date=17 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317124228/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170912|url-status=live}}</ref> despite the US position that such acts thwart peace talks. Israel's announcement occurred during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and the US publicly condemned the plan.<ref name="t2010-03-16">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7062808.ece|title=Anger in Ramat Shlomo as settlement row grows|date=16 March 2010|work=The Times|location=London|first1=Sheera|last1=Frenkel|access-date=16 March 2010|archive-date=14 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814073308/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7062808.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> Netanyahu issued a statement that all previous Israeli governments had continuously permitted construction in the neighborhood, and certain neighborhoods had always been included as part of Israel in any final agreement plan proposed by either side.<ref name="jp2010-03-14"/> Netanyahu regretted the timing of the announcement but asserted that "our policy on Jerusalem is the same policy followed by all Israeli governments for the 42 years...it has not changed."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu and Obama to meet Tuesday in Washington |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Natasha |last2=Mozgovaya |author2-link=Natasha Mozgovaya |first3=Jack |last3=Khoury |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-and-obama-to-meet-tuesday-in-washington-1.265096 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=21 March 2010 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024102517/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-and-obama-to-meet-tuesday-in-washington-1.265096 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Clinton Netanyahu Abbas Mitchell 2 Sep 2010.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu, Hillary Clinton, George J. Mitchell and Mahmoud Abbas at the start of the direct talks, 2 September 2010]] In September 2010, Netanyahu agreed to enter direct talks, mediated by the Obama administration, with the Palestinians.<ref name="ap090110">{{cite news |title=Mideast peace talks open to qualified optimism |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38948469 |publisher=NBC News |date=1 September 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234845/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38948469/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The aim was a "final status settlement" to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict by forming a two-state solution for the Jewish and Palestinian people. On 27 September, the 10-month settlement freeze ended, and the Israeli government approved new construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. pushes talks as Israel resumes settlement building |first1=Jill |last1=Dougherty |first2=Elise |last2=Labott |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/27/us.mideast.peace.talks/index.html |work=CNN |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225836/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/27/us.mideast.peace.talks/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On retirement in 2011, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Netanyahu was ungrateful to the US and endangering Israel. The Likud party defended Netanyahu by saying most Israelis supported him and he had broad support in the US.<ref>{{cite news |title=Likud defends Netanyahu after report Gates called him 'ungrateful' |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Eli |last2=Ashkenazi |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/likud-defends-netanyahu-after-report-gates-called-him-ungrateful-1.382875 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 September 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=6 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906150408/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/likud-defends-netanyahu-after-report-gates-called-him-ungrateful-1.382875 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gates called Netanyahu an ungrateful ally to U.S. and a danger to Israel |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/gates-called-netanyahu-an-ungrateful-ally-to-u-s-and-a-danger-to-israel-1.382828 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 September 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127012658/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/gates-called-netanyahu-an-ungrateful-ally-to-u-s-and-a-danger-to-israel-1.382828 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Netanyahu officially recognized for the first time the right for Palestinians to have their own state in an official document, a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, though as before<ref name="Hatz 14Jun2009" /> he declared it would have to be demilitarized.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pledges-to-establish-demilitarized-palestinian-state/ |title=PM promises Abbas a demilitarized Palestinian state |last1=Winer |first1=Stuart |last2=Ahren |first2=Raphael |date=14 May 2012 |newspaper=The Times of Israel |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=17 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517003049/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pledges-to-establish-demilitarized-palestinian-state/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Netanyahu unsuccessfully called for the early release of Jonathan Pollard, an American serving a life sentence for passing secret US documents to Israel in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 1999 |title=Netanyahu And Foe Tangle Over Pollard |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1999/01/19/netanyahu-and-foe-tangle-over-pollard/ |access-date=25 April 2025 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> He raised the issue at the Wye River Summit in 1998, where he claimed president Bill Clinton had privately agreed to release Pollard.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ross |first1=Dennis |title=Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World |date=2007 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-70832-0 |page=213 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Clinton |first1=Bill |title=My Life: The Presidential Years: Volume II: The Presidential Years |date=2005 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-1-4000-9673-2 |page=468 }}</ref> In 2002, Netanyahu visited Pollard at his North Carolina prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netanyahu.org/forpmnetvisp.html |title=Former PM Netanyahu Visits Pollard in Prison |publisher=Netanyahu.org |access-date=27 October 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927024149/http://www.netanyahu.org/forpmnetvisp.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mozgovaya |first=Natasha |author-link=Natasha Mozgovaya |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-formally-call-for-release-of-convicted-spy-jonathan-pollard-1.331860 |title=Netanyahu to formally call for release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029064455/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-formally-call-for-release-of-convicted-spy-jonathan-pollard-1.331860 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Netanyahu maintained contact with Pollard's wife, and pressed the Obama administration to release Pollard.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |url=https://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Netanyahu-reassures-Esther-Pollard-ahead-of-DC-trip |title=Netanyahu reassures Esther Pollard ahead of DC trip |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=27 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919092802/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=221407 |archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=lettertoobama>{{cite news |last=Lis |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-s-plea-to-obama-release-jonathan-pollard-1.335262 |title=Netanyahu's plea to Obama: Release Jonathan Pollard |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104150509/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-s-plea-to-obama-release-jonathan-pollard-1.335262 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

2011 Israeli social justice protests saw hundreds of thousands protest Israel's high cost of living. Netanyahu appointed the Trajtenberg Committee and it submitted recommendations to lower living costs.<ref>{{cite press release|title=The recommendations of the Trajtenberg Committee were submitted today to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance |url=http://www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/FinanceIsrael/Docs/En/pressReleases/20110927.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Finance |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218031119/http://www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/FinanceIsrael/Docs/En/pressReleases/20110927.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> Although Netanyahu promised to push the proposed reforms through cabinet in one piece, differences inside his coalition resulted in gradual adoption.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Avi Bar-Eli, Meirav Arlosoroff |author2=Ora Coren |name-list-style=amp |title=Despite PM's promises, most Trajtenberg recommendations may never become law |url=http://english.themarker.com/despite-pm-s-promises-most-trajtenberg-recommendations-may-never-become-law-1.395637 |newspaper=The Marker |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116034934/http://english.themarker.com/despite-pm-s-promises-most-trajtenberg-recommendations-may-never-become-law-1.395637 |archive-date=16 January 2012 }}</ref>

Netanyahu's cabinet approved a plan to build a fiber-optic cable network to bring cheap, high-speed fiber-optic Internet access to every home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tradebridgeconsultants.com/news/government/cabinet-announces-fibre-optic-internet-access-in-every-home/|title=Israel – Campaigning – Cabinet announces fibre optic internet access in every home|publisher=Trade Bridge Consultants|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119105927/http://tradebridgeconsultants.com/news/government/cabinet-announces-fibre-optic-internet-access-in-every-home/|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000857455|title=Israelis are already winners from the fiber optic venture|first=Gad|last=Perez|date=26 June 2013|newspaper=Globes|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729033634/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000857455|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Netanyahu planned to call early elections, but oversaw the creation of a government of national unity to see Israel through until the 2013 elections.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-surprise-move-netanyahu-mofaz-agree-to-form-unity-government-cancel-early-elections-1.428843 |title=In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections |last1=Lis |first1=Jonathan |last2=Bar-Zohar |first2=Ophir |date=8 May 2012 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509022225/http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-surprise-move-netanyahu-mofaz-agree-to-form-unity-government-cancel-early-elections-1.428843 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2012, Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced that their parties, Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, had merged and would run together on a single ballot in Israel's 2013 elections.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leshem|first=Elie|title=Netanyahu, Liberman announce they'll run joint list for Knesset|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=27 October 2012|archive-date=27 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027064830/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Third term === {{Further|Thirty-third government of Israel}} The 2013 election returned Netanyahu's Likud Beiteinu coalition with 11 fewer seats than the combined Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu parties had going into the vote.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tobin |first1=Amir |last2=Birnbaum |first2=Ben |date=20 March 2015 |title='Is This Ship Sinking?' Inside the Collapse of the Campaign Against Netanyahu |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-israels-left-lost-to-netanyahu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322104203/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-israels-left-lost-to-netanyahu |archive-date=22 March 2015 |access-date=21 March 2015 |magazine=The New Yorker |location=New York City}}</ref> Israeli president Shimon Peres charged Netanyahu with the task of forming the Thirty-third government of Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |date=10 February 2009 |title=Kadima wins, but rightist bloc biggest |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=132385 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127225603/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=132385 |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=17 June 2012 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name="swornh" /><ref name="swornr" /> During Netanyahu's third term, he continued his policy of economic liberalization. In December 2013, the Knesset approved the Business Concentration Law, which intended to open Israel's highly concentrated economy to competition to lower consumer prices, reduce income inequality, and increase economic growth. Netanyahu had formed the Concentration Committee in 2010, and the bill, which was pushed forward by his government, implemented its recommendations. The new law banned multi-tiered corporate holding structures, in which a CEO's family members or other affiliated individuals held public companies which in turn owned other public companies, and who were thus able to engage in price gouging. Under the law, corporations were banned from owning more than two tiers of publicly listed companies and from holding both financial and non-financial enterprises. All conglomerates were given four to six years to sell excess holdings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/overhaul-of-israels-economy-offers-lessons-for-united-states/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=Overhaul of Israel's Economy Offers Lessons for United States|first=Steven|last=Davidoff|work=The New York Times Dealbook blog|date=7 January 2014|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119110124/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/overhaul-of-israels-economy-offers-lessons-for-united-states/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/business/1.565986|title=What is Israel's new Business Concentration Law and why should we care?|date=29 December 2013|work=Haaretz|access-date=19 March 2014|archive-date=19 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319085801/http://www.haaretz.com/business/1.565986|url-status=dead}}</ref> Netanyahu also began a campaign of port privatization to break what he viewed as the monopoly held by workers of the Israel Port Authority, so as to lower consumer prices and increase exports. In July 2013, he issued tenders for the construction of private ports in Haifa and Ashdod.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000859155|title=Netanyahu: Era of ports monopoly is over|newspaper=Globes English|access-date=19 March 2014|archive-date=19 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319090026/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000859155|url-status=live}}</ref> Netanyahu has also pledged to curb excess bureaucracy and regulations to ease the burden on industry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2014-02-27/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-vows-to-cut-regulation/0000017f-f7c6-d2d5-a9ff-f7ce3ccb0000|title=Netanyahu vows to free economy of regulation and bureaucracy|date=27 February 2014|work=Haaretz|access-date=19 March 2014|archive-date=19 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319201254/http://www.haaretz.com/business/concentration-in-business/.premium-1.576937|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Visita a Israel para el Funeral de Estado de Shimon Peres (30022263895).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu, U.S. president Barack Obama and Israeli president Reuven Rivlin at the funeral of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, Jerusalem, 30 September 2016]] In April and June 2014, Netanyahu spoke of his deep concerns when Hamas and the Palestinian Authority agreed and then formed a unity government, and was severely critical of both the United States and European governments' decision to work with the Palestinian coalition government.<ref>Peter Beaumont, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/03/israel-us-palestinian-unity-government-netanyahu "Israel condemns US for backing Palestinian unity government"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325030301/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/03/israel-us-palestinian-unity-government-netanyahu |date=25 March 2019 }}, ''The Guardian'' 3 June 2014]</ref> He blamed Hamas for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in June 2014,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/16/world/middleeast/netanyahu-blames-hamas-in-kidnapping-of-israeli-youths.html?_r=0|title=Netanyahu Says Three Were Taken by Hamas|author=Jodi Rudoren|date=15 June 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=24 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224105047/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/16/world/middleeast/netanyahu-blames-hamas-in-kidnapping-of-israeli-youths.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> and launched a massive search and arrest operation on the West Bank, targeting members of Hamas in particular, and over the following weeks hit 60 targets in Gaza.<ref name="Leas" >James Marc Leas, [http://www.councilforthenationalinterest.org/new/attack-first-kill-first-and-claim-self-defense/#.VN9NFE05Dcs "Attack First, Kill First and Claim Self-Defense: Palestine Subcommittee Submission to UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214210857/http://www.councilforthenationalinterest.org/new/attack-first-kill-first-and-claim-self-defense/#.VN9NFE05Dcs |date=14 February 2015 }}. Council for the National Interest. (21 January 2015).</ref> Missile and rocket exchanges between Gaza militants and the IDF escalated after the bodies of the teenagers, who had been killed almost immediately as the government had good reasons to suspect, were discovered on 30 June 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.602189|title=Teens' bodies found|newspaper=Haaretz|date=1 July 2014|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=24 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224181422/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.602189|url-status=dead}}</ref> After several Hamas operatives were killed, Hamas officially declared it would launch rockets from Gaza into Israel,<ref name="Leas" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-idUSKBN0F521P20140701|title=Israel mourns teenagers, strikes Hamas in Gaza|date=1 July 2014|author=Ori Lewis|publisher=Reuters|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=26 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326063556/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/01/us-palestinians-israel-idUSKBN0F521P20140701|url-status=live}}</ref> and Israel started Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, formally ending the November 2012 ceasefire agreement.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/idfs-operation-protective-edge-begins-against-gaza/2014/07/08/ | title=IDF's Operation 'Protective Edge' Begins Against Gaza | newspaper=The Jewish Press | access-date=8 July 2014 | archive-date=10 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710004714/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/idfs-operation-protective-edge-begins-against-gaza/2014/07/08/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The prime minister did a round of television shows in the United States and described Hamas as "genocidal terrorists" in an interview on CNN.<ref name="IsraelPM">{{cite news |title=Hamas genocidal terrorists says Netanyahu |date=21 July 2014 |url=http://www.israelnews.net/news/223948551/hamas-genocidal-terrorists-says-netanyahu |publisher=Israel News.Net |access-date=19 July 2014 |archive-date=19 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119110216/http://www.israelnews.net/news/223948551/hamas-genocidal-terrorists-says-netanyahu |url-status=live }}</ref> When asked if Gazan casualties from the operation might spark "a third intifada", Netanyahu replied that Hamas was working towards that goal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/07/why-benjamin-netanyahu-should-be-very-very-worried/89897/ |title=Why Benjamin Netanyahu Should Be Very, Very Worried |last1=Fournier |first1=Ron |date=28 July 2014 |website=Defense One |publisher=National Journal |access-date=29 July 2014 |archive-date=29 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729161153/http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/07/why-benjamin-netanyahu-should-be-very-very-worried/89897/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2014, Netanyahu's government approved a privatization plan to reduce corruption and politicization in government companies, and strengthen Israel's capital market. Under the plan, minority stakes of up to 49% in state-owned companies, including arms manufacturers, energy, postal, water, and railway companies, as well as the ports of Haifa and Ashdod.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-privatisation-idUSKCN0HU0RA20141005|title=Israel approves $4 billion privatization plan for next three years|date=5 October 2016|publisher=Reuters|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018083116/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-privatisation-idUSKCN0HU0RA20141005|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month, Netanyahu called criticism of settlements "against the American values", which earned him rebuke from the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, who said that American values had resulted in Israel receiving consistent funding and protective technology such as Iron Dome. Netanyahu explained that he does not accept residency restrictions for Jews, and said that Jerusalem's Arabs and Jews should be able to buy homes wherever they want. He said he was "baffled" by the American condemnation. "It's against the American values. And it doesn't bode well for peace. The idea that we'd have this ethnic purification as a condition for peace, I think it's anti-peace."<ref>{{cite news|access-date=7 June 2021|title=White House jabs Netanyahu over 'American values' critique|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/white-house-jabs-netanyahu-over-american-values-critique-114100700057_1.html|work=Business Standard|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107152208/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/white-house-jabs-netanyahu-over-american-values-critique-114100700057_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|access-date=7 June 2021|title=Netanyahu says US criticism of settlements is 'against American values'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/05/netanyahu-says-us-criticism-settlements-against-american-values|date=5 October 2014|work=The Guardian|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607093814/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/05/netanyahu-says-us-criticism-settlements-against-american-values|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.619534|title=White House Responds to Netanyahu: American Values Gave Israel the Iron Dome|first=Barak|last=Ravid|date=7 October 2014|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113013859/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.619534|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later, Jeffrey Goldberg of ''The Atlantic'' reported that the relationship between Netanyahu and the White House had reached a new low, with the U.S. administration angry over Israel's settlement policies, and Netanyahu expressing contempt for the American administration's grasp of the Middle East.<ref name=crisis>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/the-crisis-in-us-israel-relations-is-officially-here/382031/|title=The Crisis in U.S.–Israel Relations Is Officially Here|first=Jeffrey|last=Goldberg|author-link=Jeffrey Goldberg|date=28 October 2014|work=The Atlantic|access-date=5 March 2017|archive-date=6 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206191955/http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/the-crisis-in-us-israel-relations-is-officially-here/382031/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 December 2014, Netanyahu fired ministers Yair Lapid, head of Yesh Atid, and Tzipi Livni, head of Hatnua. The changes led to the dissolution of the government, with new elections on 17 March 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Knesset votes to dissolve, sets new elections for March 17 |date=8 December 2014 |newspaper=The Times of Israel |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |access-date=10 December 2014 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516081133/https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Benjamin Netanyahu's 2015 address to the United States Congress marked Netanyahu's third speech to a joint session of Congress.<ref>{{cite news|title=Netanyahu to address US Congress in February|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-invited-to-speak-to-joint-session-of-US-Congress-in-midst-of-election-campaign-388468|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|first=Herb|last=Keinon|date=1 January 2015|access-date=23 January 2015|archive-date=23 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123194118/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-invited-to-speak-to-joint-session-of-US-Congress-in-midst-of-election-campaign-388468|url-status=live}}</ref> The day before announcing he would address Congress, ''Time'' reported that he tried to derail a meeting between U.S. lawmakers and the head of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, who intended warning them against imposing further sanctions against Iran, a move that might derail nuclear talks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4637008,00.html|title=Report: Netanyahu tried to prevent Mossad briefing for US Senators on Iran|work=Ynet|date=15 March 2015|access-date=15 March 2015|archive-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316040104/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4637008,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3744265/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-iran-nuclear-talks-obama/|title=Exclusive: Netanyahu Canceled Intel Briefing for U.S. Senators on Iran Dangers|magazine=Time|date=14 March 2015|first=Massimo|last=Calabresi|access-date=15 March 2015|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315124413/http://time.com/3744265/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-iran-nuclear-talks-obama/|url-status=live}}</ref> Leading up to the speech, Israeli consuls general in the United States "expect[ed] fierce negative reaction from U.S. Jewish communities and Israel's allies". Objections included the arrangement of the speech without the support and engagement of the Obama administration and the timing of the speech before Israel's March 2015 election. Seven American Jewish lawmakers met with Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. and recommended that Netanyahu instead meet with lawmakers privately to discuss Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2015-02-05/ty-article/.premium/consuls-in-u-s-pms-speech-will-harm-ties/0000017f-e623-df2c-a1ff-fe73feaf0000|title=Consuls in U.S. warn: Israel's friends fear Netanyahu's speech to Congress will harm ties|work=Haaretz|first=Barak|last=Ravid|date=5 February 2015|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205064829/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.640896|url-status=live}}</ref> In making the speech, Netanyahu claimed to speak for all Jews worldwide, a claim disputed by others in the Jewish community.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/01/dianne-feinstein-benjamin-netanyahu_n_6778748.html|title=Dianne Feinstein: Benjamin Netanyahu 'Arrogant' For Claiming To Speak For All Jews|work=The Huffington Post|date=1 March 2015|first=Sam|last=Levine|access-date=1 March 2015|archive-date=2 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302153935/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/01/dianne-feinstein-benjamin-netanyahu_n_6778748.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/j-street-launches-campaign-against-netanyahu/|title=J Street launches campaign against Netanyahu|work=The Times of Israel|date=10 February 2015|first=Ilan|last=Ben Zion|access-date=1 March 2015|archive-date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301022228/http://www.timesofisrael.com/j-street-launches-campaign-against-netanyahu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2015-02-09/ty-article/.premium/how-dare-netanyahu-speak-for-americas-jews/0000017f-db11-df0f-a17f-df531c700000|title=How dare Netanyahu speak in the name of America's Jews?|work=Haaretz|date=9 February 2015|first=Bradley|last=Burston|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027025519/https://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/.premium-1.641702|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/news/1.645245|title=Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protest in NYC over Netanyahu's speech|work=Haaretz|date=4 March 2015|first=Jacob|last=Kornbluth|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=22 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622085034/https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/news/1.645245|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As election day approached in what was perceived to be a close race in the 2015 Israeli elections, Netanyahu answered 'indeed' when asked whether a Palestinian state would not be established in his term. He said that support of a Palestinian state is tantamount to yielding territory for radical Islamic terrorists to attack Israel.<ref>Moran Azulay,[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4637673,00.html "Netanyahu says no Palestinian state if he remains PM"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317052401/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4637673,00.html |date=17 March 2015 }}. Ynet. (16 March 2015). "Whoever moves to establish a Palestinian state or intends to withdraw from territory is simply yielding territory for radical Islamic terrorist attacks against Israel"</ref> However, Netanyahu reiterated "I don't want a one-state solution. I want a peaceful, sustainable two-state solution. I have not changed my policy."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/us-says-it-will-re-evaluate-approach-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-after-netanyahu-election-win/|title=Netanyahu Backtracks on Election Pledge to Refuse a Two-State Solution After Sharp Words from the US|publisher=Vice News|first=Harriet|last=Salem|date=19 March 2015|access-date=9 June 2015|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713152617/https://news.vice.com/article/us-says-it-will-re-evaluate-approach-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-after-netanyahu-election-win|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Fourth term === {{further|Thirty-fourth government of Israel}} [[File:SecStae viasit April 2018 (41884908901).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo]] [[File:Joseph Dunford visit to Israel, May 2017 DSC 3508 (33798189093).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu, Joseph Dunford and Jewish veterans of the Red Army, Victory Day in Jerusalem, 9 May 2017]] [[File:President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 (34460980460).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu meets with President Donald Trump in Jerusalem, May 2017.]] [[File:President of Ukraine held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel, January 2018.III.jpeg|thumb|Netanyahu meets with Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, 24 January 2018.]] [[File:President Trump Welcome the Prime Minister of Israel to the White House, 25 March 2019.jpg|thumb|President Trump, joined by Netanyahu behind, signs the proclamation recognizing Israel's 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, March 2019.]] In the 2015 election, Netanyahu returned with his party Likud leading the elections with 30 mandates, making it the single highest number of seats for the Knesset. President Rivlin granted Netanyahu an extension until 6 May 2015 to build a coalition when one had not been finalized in the first four weeks of negotiations.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Rivlin-grants-Netanyahu-2-week-extension-to-form-coalition-398640 "Rivlin grants Netanyahu 2 week extension to form coalition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055231/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Rivlin-grants-Netanyahu-2-week-extension-to-form-coalition-398640 |date=5 May 2015 }}, ''The Jerusalem Post'', 20 April 2015</ref> He formed a coalition government within two hours of the midnight 6 May deadline.<ref name="TimesIsrael05062015">{{cite news |date=6 May 2015 |title=In the 11th hour, Netanyahu finalizes 61-strong coalition |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-the-11th-hour-netanyahu-finalizes-61-strong-coalition/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |location=Jerusalem |access-date=6 May 2015 |quote=Prime minister reaches deal with Jewish home's Bennett, finalizing a right-wing government; two men set to deliver a statement; Ayelet Shaked will be named justice minister. |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223752/http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-the-11th-hour-netanyahu-finalizes-61-strong-coalition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His Likud party formed the coalition with Jewish Home, United Torah Judaism, Kulanu, and Shas.<ref name="TimesIsrael05062015"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Heller |first=Jeffery |date=6 May 2015 |title=Netanyahu clinches deal to form new Israeli government |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics-idUSKBN0NR29R20150506 |publisher=Reuters |location=London |access-date=6 May 2015 |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223755/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/06/us-israel-politics-idUSKBN0NR29R20150506 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2015, Netanyahu's government approved a two-year budget that would see agricultural reforms and lowering of import duties to reduce food prices, deregulation of the approval process in construction to lower housing costs and speed up infrastructure building, and reforms in the financial sector to boost competition and lower fees for financial services.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-passes-state-budget-for-2015-2016/|title=Cabinet approves state budget for 2015–2016|newspaper=The Times of Israel|author=Winer, Stuart|date=6 August 2015|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227234957/https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-passes-state-budget-for-2015-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Government-approves-2015-2016-budget-after-marathon-session-411294|title=State budget passes after marathon talks|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|first=Gil|last=Hoffman|date=6 August 2015|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227100250/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Government-approves-2015-2016-budget-after-marathon-session-411294|url-status=live}}</ref> In the end, the government was forced to compromise by removing some key agricultural reforms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2015-11-17/ty-article/.premium/a-disappointing-budget/0000017f-dee3-df62-a9ff-def7d23e0000|title=Israel Set to Pass a Disappointing Budget|first=Nehemia|last=Shtrasler|date=17 November 2015|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104115422/http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.686444|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2015, Netanyahu caused commotion for saying the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini gave Adolf Hitler the idea of exterminating Jews rather than expelling them during the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |title=PM Netanyahu at the 37th Zionist World Congress |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=293&v=mZbMf7vDU6g&feature=youtu.be |website=YouTube | date=20 October 2015 |publisher=IsraeliPM |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321024611/https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=293&v=mZbMf7vDU6g&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Netanyahu, Saying Palestinian Mufti Inspired Holocaust, Draws Broad Criticism|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/netanyahu-saying-palestinian-mufti-inspired-holocaust-draws-broad-criticism.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 21 October 2015|access-date = 21 October 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Jodi|last = Rudoren|archive-date = 21 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021211809/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/netanyahu-saying-palestinian-mufti-inspired-holocaust-draws-broad-criticism.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Richards | first = Victoria | date = 21 October 2015 | title = Benjamin Netanyahu blames Holocaust on Palestinian leader Haj Amin al-Husseini | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-blames-holocaust-on-palestinian-leader-haj-amin-al-husseini-a6702091.html | newspaper = The Independent | access-date = 21 October 2015 | archive-date = 21 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021222756/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-blames-holocaust-on-palestinian-leader-haj-amin-al-husseini-a6702091.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Germany tells Netanyahu: We are responsible for the Holocaust |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34599706 |work=BBC News |date=October 22, 2015 |language=en}}</ref> This claim is dismissed by most historians,<ref>{{cite news | title = Netanyahu: Hitler Didn't Want to Exterminate the Jews | url = https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.681525 | newspaper = Haaretz | date = 21 October 2015 | access-date = 23 October 2015 | archive-date = 23 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151023005805/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.681525 | url-status = dead }}</ref> who say that al-Husseini's meeting with Hitler took place approximately five months after the mass murder of Jews began.<ref name = "Hatz months before">{{cite news |last= Aderet |first= Ofer |date= 22 October 2015 |title= Mass murder of Jews in Europe started months before Hitler met mufti, historians say |url= https://www.haaretz.com/2015-10-22/ty-article/.premium/mass-murder-began-before-hitler-mufti/0000017f-dc44-d3ff-a7ff-fde44bd70000 |newspaper= Haaretz |access-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151023023117/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.681661 |url-status= live }}</ref> Some of the strongest criticism came from Israeli academics: Yehuda Bauer said Netanyahu's claim was "completely idiotic".<ref name = "Hatz months before"/> Moshe Zimmermann stated that "any attempt to deflect the burden from Hitler to others is a form of Holocaust denial."<ref>{{cite news |last= Tate |first= Emily |date= 22 October 2015 |title= Under-fire Netanyahu criticised over 'a form of Holocaust denial' |url= http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/underfire-netanyahu-criticised-over-a-form-of-holocaust-denial-34130477.html |newspaper= Irish Independent |access-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-date= 2 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062916/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/underfire-netanyahu-criticised-over-a-form-of-holocaust-denial-34130477.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

In March 2016, Netanyahu's coalition faced a potential crisis as ultra-Orthodox members threatened to withdraw over the government's proposed steps to create non-Orthodox prayer space at the Western Wall. They have stated they will leave the coalition if the government offers any further official state recognition of Conservative and Reform Judaism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-facing-crisis-as-Haredim-vow-to-quit-over-Western-Wall-pluralism-447102|title=Netanyahu facing crisis as haredim vow to quit over Western Wall pluralism|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 March 2016|first1=Arik|last1=Bender|first2=Jeremy|last2=Sharon|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224200607/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-facing-crisis-as-Haredim-vow-to-quit-over-Western-Wall-pluralism-447102|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 December 2016, the United States, under the Obama Administration, abstained from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, effectively allowing it to pass.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Collinson | first1=Stephen | last2=Wright | first2=David | last3=Labott | first3=Elise | title=US Abstains as UN Demands End to Israeli Settlements | url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/politics/israel-official-rips-obama-un-settlements/ | date=24 December 2016 | publisher=CNN | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=6 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106160100/http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/politics/israel-official-rips-obama-un-settlements/ | url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 December, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry strongly criticized Israel and its settlement policies in a speech.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Sanger | first1=David E. | title=Kerry Rebukes Israel, Calling Settlements a Threat to Peace | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/us/politics/john-kerry-israel-palestine-peace.html?_r=0 | date=28 December 2016 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=3 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103150801/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/us/politics/john-kerry-israel-palestine-peace.html?_r=0 | url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu strongly criticized both the UN Resolution<ref>{{cite news | last1=Barak | first1=Ravid | title=Netanyahu on UN Settlement Vote: Israel Will Not Turn the Other Cheek | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.761470 | date=26 December 2016 | newspaper=Haaretz | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107024914/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.761470 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and Kerry's speech<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel-Palestinians: Netanyahu Condemns John Kerry Speech | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38455753 | date=29 December 2016 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207115847/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38455753 | url-status=live }}</ref> in response. On 6 January 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6 million in United States dollars.<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel Halts $6 million to UN to Protest UN Settlements Vote | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote | date=6 January 2017 | publisher=Fox News (from the Associated Press) | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107160546/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2017, Netanyahu became the first serving prime minister of Israel to visit Australia. He was accompanied by his wife, Sara. The three-day official visit included a delegation of business representatives, and Netanyahu and Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull were scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements. Netanyahu recalled that it was the Australian Light Horse regiments that liberated Beersheba during World War I, and this began what has been a relationship of 100 years between the countries.<ref name="2017-02-22_ABC">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/benjamin-netanyahu-arrives-in-sydney/8291846 "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in Sydney amid controversy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222073145/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/benjamin-netanyahu-arrives-in-sydney/8291846 |date=22 February 2017 }}, ABC News Online, 22 February 2017</ref>

In October 2017, shortly after the US announced the same action, Netanyahu's government announced it was leaving UNESCO due to what it saw as anti-Israel actions by the agency,<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel to Join US in Quitting Unesco | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41598991 | date=12 October 2017 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=27 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227020019/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41598991 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Irish | first1=John | title=U.S., Israel Quit U.N. Heritage Agency Citing Bias | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unesco-election-usa/u-s-israel-quit-u-n-heritage-agency-citing-bias-idUSKBN1CH1YO | date=12 October 2017 | publisher=Reuters | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=28 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328082539/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unesco-election-usa/u-s-israel-quit-u-n-heritage-agency-citing-bias-idUSKBN1CH1YO | url-status=live }}</ref> and it made that decision official in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Landau | first1=Noa | title=Following in U.S.' Footsteps, Israel Announces Exit From UNESCO | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/following-u-s-footsteps-israel-announces-exit-from-unesco-1.5629428 | date=22 December 2017 | newspaper=Haaretz | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072833/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/following-u-s-footsteps-israel-announces-exit-from-unesco-1.5629428 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Israel Joins US in Announcing Withdrawal from UNESCO | url=https://www.jta.org/2017/12/24/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-joins-us-in-announcing-withdrawal-from-unesco | date=24 December 2017 | publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072530/https://www.jta.org/2017/12/24/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-joins-us-in-announcing-withdrawal-from-unesco | url-status=live }}</ref> The Israeli government officially notified UNESCO of the withdrawal in late December 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=Joining US, Israel Formally Notifies UNESCO of Withdrawal | url=http://p.dw.com/p/2q7im | date=29 December 2017 | publisher=Deutsche Welle | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=20 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120164215/https://www.dw.com/en/joining-us-israel-formally-notifies-unesco-of-withdrawal/a-41975412 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Landau | first1=Noa | title=Israel Officially Resigns From UNESCO, Following U.S. | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2017-12-31/ty-article/.premium/israel-officially-resigns-from-unesco-following-u-s/0000017f-f643-d47e-a37f-ff7fc0580000 | date=31 December 2017 | newspaper=Haaretz | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123073114/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-officially-resigns-from-unesco-following-u-s-1.5630021 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Hacohen | first1=Hagay | title=Racing Against the Clock, Israel Submits Letter Quitting UNESCO | url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-cant-submit-resignation-from-UNESCO-letter-over-holiday-break-520296 | date=29 December 2017 | newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=21 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121210518/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-cant-submit-resignation-from-UNESCO-letter-over-holiday-break-520296 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Israel Says it Succeeded in Bid to Withdraw from UNESCO by 2019, Official Says | url=https://www.jta.org/2017/12/29/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-successfully-announced-withdrawal-from-unesco-by-2019-official-says | date=29 December 2017 | publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131616/https://www.jta.org/2017/12/29/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-successfully-announced-withdrawal-from-unesco-by-2019-official-says | url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2018, Netanyahu accused Iran of not holding up its end of the Iran nuclear deal after presenting a cache of over 100,000 documents detailing the extent of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denounced Netanyahu's presentation as "propaganda".<ref>{{cite news |date=30 April 2018 |title=Netanyahu Unveils Secret Iranian Nuclear Program |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/WATCH-LIVE-Netanyahu-address-the-nation-discussing-dramatic-Iran-news-553124 |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906045830/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/watch-live-netanyahu-address-the-nation-discussing-dramatic-iran-news-553124 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Netanyahu praised the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit. He said in a statement, "I commend US President Donald Trump on the historic summit in Singapore. This is an important step in the effort to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu congratulates Trump on Kim summit, Iran policy |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/177024-180612-netanyahu-congratulates-trump-on-kim-summit-iran-policy |publisher=i24NEWS |date=12 June 2018 |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426065931/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/177024-180612-netanyahu-congratulates-trump-on-kim-summit-iran-policy |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2018, the Knesset passed the Nation-State Bill, a Basic Law supported by Netanyahu's coalition government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halbfinger |first1=David M. |last2=Kershner |first2=Isabel |title=Israeli Law Declares the Country the 'Nation-State of the Jewish People' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/middleeast/israel-law-jews-arabic.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719102342/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/middleeast/israel-law-jews-arabic.html |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lis |first1=Jonathan |last2=Landau |first2=Noa |title=Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726064526/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eglash |first1=Ruth |title=Contentious Nation-State Law Declaring Israel the Jewish Homeland Approved by Lawmakers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lawmakers-approve-nationalistic-bill-declaring-israel-the-jewish-homeland/2018/07/19/0ef9410e-8ac0-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064153/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lawmakers-approve-nationalistic-bill-declaring-israel-the-jewish-homeland/2018/07/19/0ef9410e-8ac0-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Analysts saw the bill as a sign of Netanyahu's coalition advancing a right-wing agenda.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halbfinger |first1=David M. |title=Israel Cements Right-Wing Agenda in a Furious Week of Lawmaking |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721011943/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu.html |archive-date=21 July 2018 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |date=20 July 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref>

Prior to the April 2019 Israeli legislative election, Netanyahu helped broker a deal that united the Jewish Home party<ref name="jpost.com">{{cite news|first=Michal|last=Wilner|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Netanyahu-says-he-will-accept-Kahanists-in-government-Who-are-they-581247|title=Who are the Kahanists of Otzma Netanyahu opened Knesset door to? – Israel Elections|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218093404/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Netanyahu-says-he-will-accept-Kahanists-in-government-Who-are-they-581247|url-status=live}}</ref> with the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, in order to form the Union of the Right-Wing Parties. The motivation of the deal was to overcome the electoral threshold for smaller parties. The deal was criticized in the media, as Otzma is widely characterized as racist and traces its origins to the extremist Kahanist movement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225033056/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |archive-date=25 February 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Netanyahu Sparks Outrage Over Pact With Racist Party|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|date=24 February 2019|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5467651,00.html|title=Otzma Yehudit's history of racism and provocation|date=21 February 2019|website=Ynetnews|first=Dror|last=Liba|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421223525/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5467651,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Criminal investigations and indictment==== {{Main|Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu}}

Since January 2017, Netanyahu has been investigated by Israeli police in two connected cases, "Case 1000" and "Case 2000". In Case 1000, Netanyahu is suspected of having obtained inappropriate favors from businessmen, including James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.<ref>{{cite news |author=Amnon Abramovich |url=http://reshet.tv/item/news/politics/politics/suspected-of-accepting-favors-82058/ |script-title=he:תיק הבדיקה נגד נתניהו נחשף: ראש הממשלה חשוד בקבלת טובות הנאה |language=he |trans-title=Examination file against Netanyahu revealed: Prime Minister is suspected of receiving favors |publisher=Reshet |access-date=29 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230091611/http://reshet.tv/item/news/politics/politics/suspected-of-accepting-favors-82058/ |archive-date=30 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/06/netanyahu-questioned-israeli-police-second-time-graft-probe/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/06/netanyahu-questioned-israeli-police-second-time-graft-probe/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |agency=Associated Press |title=Netanyahu questioned by Israeli police for a second time in graft probe|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Case 2000 involves alleged attempts to strike a deal with the publisher of the ''Yedioth Ahronot'' newspaper group, Arnon Mozes, to promote legislation to weaken ''Yedioth's'' main competitor in exchange for more favorable political coverage.

In August 2017, Israeli police confirmed that Netanyahu was suspected of crimes involving fraud, breach of trust, and bribes in the two cases.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-netanyahu-suspected-bribery-fraud-israel-police/ |title=Benjamin Netanyahu suspected of bribery, fraud, Israeli police say |work=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428144321/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-netanyahu-suspected-bribery-fraud-israel-police/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, it was reported that the prime minister's former chief of staff, Ari Harow, had signed a deal with prosecutors to testify against Netanyahu.<ref>{{cite news |first=Revital |last=Hovel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/former-netanyahu-aide-reaches-deal-to-become-state-s-witness-1.5440062 |title=Former Netanyahu Aide Ari Harow Reaches Deal to Become State's Witness |work=Haaretz |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428144326/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/former-netanyahu-aide-reaches-deal-to-become-state-s-witness-1.5440062 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Jerusalem demonstrations 06.jpg|thumb|Israelis protest against Netanyahu outside his official residence in Jerusalem on 30 July 2020]] In February 2018, Israeli police recommended that Netanyahu be charged with corruption. According to a police statement, sufficient evidence exists to indict the prime minister on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in the two cases. Netanyahu responded that the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.<ref name=bbc_13_feb_2018>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43051249|title=Israel PM Netanyahu faces corruption charges|date=13 February 2018|publisher=BBC News|access-date=13 February 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329035934/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43051249|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2018, it was reported that Economic Crimes Division Director Liat Ben-Ari recommended indictment for both cases.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Report-Netanyahus-prosecutor-recommends-indictment-in-two-cases-572785|title=Report: Netanyahu's prosecutor recommends indictment in two cases|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=26 November 2018|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329042733/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Report-Netanyahus-prosecutor-recommends-indictment-in-two-cases-572785|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018 Netanyahu was also investigated in "Case 4000", where he was suspected of giving regulatory favors to Shaul Elovitch, owner of Bezeq telecommunication company, in exchange for positive publications in news website Walla!.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Netanyahu Trial: Media Tycoon's Ex-company to Admit to Bribery in Plea Deal |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-03-22/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-trial-media-tycoons-ex-company-to-admit-to-bribery-in-plea-deal/00000180-5b9e-d615-a9bf-dfdeaf440000 |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 December 2024 |title=Netanyahu corruption trial: What you need to know |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-corruption-trial-divides-israeli-public-2024-12-09/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref name=bbc_13_feb_2018 />

In February 2019, the Israeli attorney general announced his intent to file indictments against Netanyahu on bribe and fraud charges in the three cases.<ref name="indictments">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-bribe-fraud-charges-n977571|title=Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be indicted on corruption charges|date=28 February 2019|access-date=28 February 2019|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328174958/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-bribe-fraud-charges-n977571|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="toi21nov">{{cite news |last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |date=21 November 2019 |title=AG announces Netanyahu to stand trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-announces-netanyahu-to-stand-trial-for-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028182456/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-announces-netanyahu-to-stand-trial-for-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust/ |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> Netanyahu was formally indicted on 21 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-charged-bribery-fraud-corruption-israel-election-1.8137771|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121185854/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-charged-bribery-fraud-corruption-israel-election-1.8137771|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 November 2019|title=Netanyahu Charged With Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust, Capping a Dramatic Political Year|last=Bandel|first=Netael|date=21 November 2019|work=Haaretz|access-date=22 November 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/21/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-for-bribery-and|title=Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu indicted for bribery and fraud|last=Holmes|first=Oliver|work=The Guardian|date=21 November 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=18 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518001350/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/21/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-for-bribery-and|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|page=A1 |work=The Wall Street Journal |title=Israel's Netanyahu Is Indicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges | author1=Felicia Schwartz |author2=Dov Lieber |date=22 November 2019 |volume=CCLXXIV |number=123}}</ref> If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for bribery and a maximum of three years for fraud and breach of trust.<ref>{{Cite web|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|title=Israel's Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Fraud, Bribery and Breach of Trust|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/world/middleeast/netanyahu-corruption-indicted.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121164012/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/world/middleeast/netanyahu-corruption-indicted.html |archive-date=21 November 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.trust.org/item/20191121161354-9wsxc/|title=Israel's attorney general indicts PM Netanyahu on corruption charges|last1=Heller|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Williams|first2=Dan|date=21 November 2019|agency=Reuters|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602203305/https://news.trust.org/item/20191121161354-9wsxc/|archive-date=2 June 2020|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref> He is the first sitting prime minister in Israel's history to be charged with a crime.<ref name="toi21nov" /><ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23">{{Cite web |author= |date=23 November 2019 |title=Netanyahu said set to give up 4 ministry portfolios after charges announced |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-set-to-give-up-4-ministry-portfolios-after-charges-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028182549/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-set-to-give-up-4-ministry-portfolios-after-charges-announced/ |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=23 November 2019 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> On 23 November 2019, it was announced that Netanyahu, in compliance with legal precedent set by the Israeli Supreme Court in 1993,<ref name="haaretznov23">{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2019-11-23/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-to-relinquish-ministerial-portfolios-in-coming-days/0000017f-f6ed-d318-afff-f7eff6dc0000|title=Netanyahu to Relinquish Ministerial Portfolios in Coming Days|first=Chaim|last=Levinson|publisher=Haaretz|date=23 November 2019|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-date=26 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126001204/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-netanyahu-to-relinquish-ministerial-portfolios-in-coming-days-1.8166032|url-status=live}}</ref> would relinquish his agriculture, health, social affairs and diaspora affairs portfolios.<ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23" /> The matter of forcing a prime minister to resign due to an indictment has yet to be tested in court.<ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23" /> He was officially charged on 28 January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/netanyahu-withdraws-immunity-from-prosecution-request|title=Netanyahu indicted in court after removing immunity request|date=28 January 2020|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128100001/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/netanyahu-withdraws-immunity-from-prosecution-request|url-status=live}}</ref>

Netanyahu's criminal trial was set to begin on 24 May 2020, having been initially scheduled for March of that year but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Was-the-delay-of-Netanyahus-trial-cynical-or-legal-analysis-621051|title=Was the delay of Netanyahu's trial cynical or legal? – analysis|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315153019/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Was-the-delay-of-Netanyahus-trial-cynical-or-legal-analysis-621051|url-status=live}}</ref> As of April 2023, the criminal trial was still ongoing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 2023 |title=What is the latest on Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial? |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/what-is-the-latest-on-benjamin-netanyahus-corruption-trial/articleshow/99808082.cms?from=mdr |access-date=1 May 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501075332/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/what-is-the-latest-on-benjamin-netanyahus-corruption-trial/articleshow/99808082.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 November 2025, Netanyahu formally asked for a pardon from president Isaac Herzog.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2025 |title=Israel's Netanyahu urges president to pardon corruption cases |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/30/netanyahu-writes-to-israeli-president-requesting-pardon-in-corruption-cases |access-date=1 December 2025 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

In February 2026, the Attorney General and Cabinet Legal Advisor of Israel summoned Netanyahu to provide explanations to the police regarding an investigation into the leak of classified documents to the German newspaper Bild. The case reportedly concerns attempts to obstruct investigations into the leak of sensitive Israeli documents. Previously, Netanyahu's chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to impede the investigative process regarding the leak to foreign media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRT World – Israeli attorney general summons Netanyahu in classified documents leak probe |url=https://www.trtworld.com/article/1bc2f70a9fc9 |access-date=26 February 2026 |website=www.trtworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=ToI |date=25 February 2026 |title=AG lets police summon Netanyahu to testify on claims against chief of staff – reports |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-lets-police-summon-netanyahu-to-testify-on-claims-against-chief-of-staff-reports/ |access-date=26 February 2026 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zimuky |first=Tova |last2=Zimuky |first2=Tova |date=25 February 2026 |title=Netanyahu to testify in chief of staff’s obstruction probe |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjfed2hdze |access-date=26 February 2026 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref>

=== Fifth term === {{further|Thirty-fifth government of Israel}} On 17 May 2020, Netanyahu was sworn in for a fifth term as prime minister in a coalition with Benny Gantz. Against a background of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel and Netanyahu's criminal trial, protests broke out against him in front of the prime minister's residence. Following this, Netanyahu ordered to disperse the demonstrations using COVID-19 special regulations, limiting them to 20 people and at a distance of 1,000 meters from their homes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1601443382-israel-parliament-votes-to-restrict-demonstrations-amid-2nd-national-lockdown|title=israel-parliament-votes-to-restrict-demonstrations-amid-2nd-national-lockdown|publisher=i24News|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023055130/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/1601443382-israel-parliament-votes-to-restrict-demonstrations-amid-2nd-national-lockdown|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the exact opposite was achieved; the demonstrations were enlarged and dispersed to over 1,000 centers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-793159|title="הדגלים השחורים" מפגינים במעל לכ-1,000 מוקדים ברחבי הארץ|website=www.maariv.co.il|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025002906/https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/Article-793159|url-status=live |language=he}}</ref> By March 2021, Israel became the country with the highest vaccinated population per capita in the world against COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Israel's COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout Is Slowing at a Critical Moment. That's a Warning for the Rest of Us|url=https://time.com/5947967/israel-covid-vaccine-rollout/|date=19 March 2021|magazine=Time|access-date=26 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518185448/https://time.com/5947967/israel-covid-vaccine-rollout/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After tensions escalated in Jerusalem in May 2021, Hamas fired rockets on Israel from Gaza, which prompted Netanyahu to initiate Operation Guardian of the Walls, lasting eleven days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu, defense chiefs call operation 'game-changing' defeat of Hamas |last=Harkov |first=Lahav |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/netanyahu-not-everything-is-known-to-public-and-hamas-668761 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=21 May 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705043231/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/netanyahu-not-everything-is-known-to-public-and-hamas-668761 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the operation, Israeli politician and leader of the Yamina alliance Naftali Bennett announced that he had agreed to a deal with Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid to form a rotation government that would oust Netanyahu from his position as prime minister.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |date=21 November 2019 |title=Rivlin hands over mandate, begs MKs to prevent third election |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Rivlin-Edelstein-beg-MKs-to-prevent-third-election-608584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007101227/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/rivlin-edelstein-beg-mks-to-prevent-third-election-608584 |archive-date=7 October 2020 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Eglash |first=Ruth |date=17 May 2020 |title=After three elections and political deadlock, Israel finally swears in new government |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/after-three-elections-and-political-deadlock-israel-finally-swears-in-new-government/2020/05/17/ba25e752-9807-11ea-87a3-22d324235636_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417084348/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/after-three-elections-and-political-deadlock-israel-finally-swears-in-new-government/2020/05/17/ba25e752-9807-11ea-87a3-22d324235636_story.html |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=20 May 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> On 13 June 2021, Bennett and Lapid formed a coalition government,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bennett announces plan to form gov't with Lapid that will oust Netanyahu|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/yesh-atid-new-hope-teams-to-meet-669589|access-date=30 May 2021|work=The Jerusalem Post|language=en-US|archive-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616040517/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/yesh-atid-new-hope-teams-to-meet-669589|url-status=live}}</ref> and Netanyahu was ousted as prime minister, ending his 12-year tenure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=End of the road for Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving PM|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/13/reign-of-netanyahu-israels-longest-serving-pm-comes-to-an-end|access-date=13 June 2021|date=13 June 2021|website=Al Jazeera|language=en|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613183152/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/13/reign-of-netanyahu-israels-longest-serving-pm-comes-to-an-end|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="swornc">{{Cite web |last1=Picheta |first1=Rob |last2=Gold |first2=Hadas |last3=Tal |first3=Amir |date=29 December 2022 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu sworn in as leader of Israel's likely most right-wing government ever |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/29/middleeast/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-swearing-in-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228233951/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/29/middleeast/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-swearing-in-intl/index.html |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

==Leader of the Opposition (2021–2022)== {{needs expansion|date=August 2025}} After the end of his second premiership, Netanyahu began his third stint as the leader of the opposition. Likud remained the largest party in the twenty-fourth Knesset.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel swears in new coalition, ending Netanyahu's long rule |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/13/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-493914 |website=POLITICO |agency=Associated Press |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en |date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013113711/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/13/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-493914 |url-status=live }}</ref> He led the opposition into the 2022 Israeli legislative election.

== Prime Minister (2022–present) == === Sixth term === {{further|Thirty-seventh government of Israel|Israeli war cabinet}} {{see also|2023 Israeli judicial reform|2023 Israeli judicial reform protests|Gaza war}} [[File:המחאה נגד ההפיכה המשפטית, קפלן פינת מנחם בגין, 4 במרץ 2023.jpg|thumb|Protest against the judicial reform in March 2023]] [[File:Prime Minister Sunak met with Prime Minister Netanyahu at 10 Downing Street in 2023.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with British prime minister Rishi Sunak in London, 24 March 2023]] After the 2022 election, Netanyahu was sworn in as prime minister again as the leader of a hardline coalition.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keller-Lynn |first=Carrie |date=29 December 2022 |title=Netanyahu returns as PM, wins Knesset support for Israel's most hardline government |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-resumes-role-as-pm-as-israels-most-hardline-government-ever-takes-office/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222115339/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-resumes-role-as-pm-as-israels-most-hardline-government-ever-takes-office/ |archive-date=22 February 2023 |access-date=29 December 2022 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> He started his sixth term on 29 December 2022.<ref name="swornc"/>

The first months of Netanyahu's sixth term centered around proposed reform to the judicial branch. Critics highlighted the negative effects it would have on the separation of powers,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://lawprofsforum.wixsite.com/english |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=Professors Democracy |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209083251/https://lawprofsforum.wixsite.com/english |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Override Clause Explainer |url=https://en.idi.org.il/articles/46387 |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=en.idi.org.il |date=November 2022 |language=he |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131005142/https://en.idi.org.il/articles/46387 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Test of reasonableness |language=en-US |work=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Test-of-reasonableness-592489 |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211191434/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Test-of-reasonableness-592489 |url-status=live }}</ref> the office of the Attorney General,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bachner |first1=Michael |last2=Staff |first2=ToI |title=AG censures 'harmful' proposal to let ministers appoint own legal advisers |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-censures-harmful-proposal-to-let-ministers-appoint-own-legal-advisers/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |date=26 June 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626234006/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-censures-harmful-proposal-to-let-ministers-appoint-own-legal-advisers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stern |first=Yedidia Z. |title=The attack on legal oversight threatens us all |url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-attack-on-legal-oversight-endangers-us-all/ |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=blogs.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213014148/https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-attack-on-legal-oversight-endangers-us-all/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Coalition Agreements of Israel's 37th Government: The Appointment of Legal Advisors in Government Ministries |url=https://en.idi.org.il/articles/47681 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=en.idi.org.il |date=January 2023 |language=he |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212112357/https://en.idi.org.il/articles/47681 |url-status=live }}</ref> the economy,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 January 2023 |title=Two Former Governors of the Israeli Central Bank Warn of Economic Consequences of Government's Plans for the Judiciary |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-01-22/ty-article/.premium/former-bank-of-israel-heads-warn-judicial-overhaul-may-deal-severe-blow-to-economy/00000185-d97d-d1d2-a3c7-fb7fa0560000 |access-date=9 February 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328095538/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-01-22/ty-article/.premium/former-bank-of-israel-heads-warn-judicial-overhaul-may-deal-severe-blow-to-economy/00000185-d97d-d1d2-a3c7-fb7fa0560000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 2023 |title=Kahneman: The judicial reform is a disaster |language=en |work=Globes |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-kahneman-the-judicial-reform-is-a-disaster-1001436559 |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404062308/https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-kahneman-the-judicial-reform-is-a-disaster-1001436559 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=זרחיה |first1=צבי |last2=טייטלבאום |first2=שלמה |date=23 February 2023 |title=הנגיד והכלכלנית הראשית: שינויי המשטר עלולים ליצור פגיעה קשה בכלכלה |url=https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/article/ryow8mbri |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=כלכליסט |language=he |archive-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227214726/https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/article/ryow8mbri |url-status=live }}</ref> public health,<ref name="Izak-2023">{{Cite news |last=Izak |first=Rotem |date=18 February 2023 |title=צפו פגיעה, זו מתקפה ישירה על נשים: ההיבט המגדרי של המהפכה המשפטית |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkc8syjpi |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226184501/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkc8syjpi |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Barnea-2023">{{Cite news |last=Barnea |first=Rani |date=1 March 2023 |title=הסיוט של מערכת המשפט יהיה האסון של מערכת הבריאות |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/health/2023-03-01/ty-article/.premium/00000186-98d9-d038-a3f6-bbf95dba0000 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304105309/https://www.haaretz.co.il/health/2023-03-01/ty-article/.premium/00000186-98d9-d038-a3f6-bbf95dba0000 |url-status=live }}</ref> women and minorities,<ref name="Barnea-2023" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Maltz |first=Judy |date=25 February 2023 |title=U.S. Reform Movement Leader to Israelis: Your Diaspora Siblings Stand in Solidarity With You |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-25/ty-article/.premium/u-s-reform-movement-leader-to-israelis-your-diaspora-siblings-are-in-solidarity-with-you/00000186-899c-d5bf-adb6-af9e93100000 |access-date=25 February 2023 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225192325/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-25/ty-article/.premium/u-s-reform-movement-leader-to-israelis-your-diaspora-siblings-are-in-solidarity-with-you/00000186-899c-d5bf-adb6-af9e93100000 |url-status=live }}</ref> workers' rights,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Weingarten |first1=Randi |last2=Appelbaum |first2=Stuart |date=20 February 2023 |title=As U.S. Jews and Union Leaders, We See the Dangers of Israel's Democratic Crisis |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-02-20/ty-article-opinion/.premium/as-u-s-jews-and-union-leaders-we-see-the-dangers-of-israels-democratic-crisis/00000186-6f51-d7c1-a1ee-6f7fa8b50000 |access-date=21 February 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307222738/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-02-20/ty-article-opinion/.premium/as-u-s-jews-and-union-leaders-we-see-the-dangers-of-israels-democratic-crisis/00000186-6f51-d7c1-a1ee-6f7fa8b50000 |url-status=live }}</ref> scientific research,<ref name="Barnea-2023" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 2023 |title=200 U.S. Jewish Scientists Call on Netanyahu Gov't to Halt Judicial Overhaul Plan |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-02-19/ty-article/.premium/200-u-s-jewish-scientists-call-on-netanyahu-govt-to-halt-judicial-overhaul-plan/00000186-6955-d772-a387-6f5db4ea0000 |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219141207/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-02-19/ty-article/.premium/200-u-s-jewish-scientists-call-on-netanyahu-govt-to-halt-judicial-overhaul-plan/00000186-6955-d772-a387-6f5db4ea0000 |url-status=live }}</ref> the strength of Israel's democracy<ref>{{Cite web |title=In petition, leading academics warn judicial shakeup will harm Israel's security |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/in-petition-leading-academics-warn-judicial-shakeup-will-harm-israels-security/ |access-date=9 February 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |date=7 February 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320133352/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/in-petition-leading-academics-warn-judicial-shakeup-will-harm-israels-security/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shani |first=Ayelett |date=10 February 2023 |title='Israel's Government Has neo-Nazi Ministers. It Really Does Recall Germany in 1933' |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-10/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/israels-government-has-neo-nazi-ministers-it-really-does-recall-germany-in-1933/00000186-3a49-d80f-abff-7ac9c7ff0000 |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307222553/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-10/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/israels-government-has-neo-nazi-ministers-it-really-does-recall-germany-in-1933/00000186-3a49-d80f-abff-7ac9c7ff0000?utm_source=App_Share&utm_medium=iOS_Native |url-status=live }}</ref> and its foreign relations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=19 February 2023 |title=Equating Israeli and Iranian Protests, U.S. Lawmakers Slam Netanyahu's Judicial Overhaul |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-02-19/ty-article/.premium/equating-israeli-and-iranian-protests-u-s-lawmakers-slam-netanyahus-judicial-overhaul/00000186-6976-d7c4-a187-f976d4e70000 |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219234122/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2023-02-19/ty-article/.premium/equating-israeli-and-iranian-protests-u-s-lawmakers-slam-netanyahus-judicial-overhaul/00000186-6976-d7c4-a187-f976d4e70000 |url-status=live }}</ref> After public protests, joined by military reservists, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke against the reform on 25 March, calling for a halt "for the sake of Israel's security".<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last = Hendrix| first = Steve| title = Israeli defense minister calls on Netanyahu to halt overhaul of courts| newspaper = Washington Post| access-date = 27 March 2023| date = 25 March 2023| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/25/israel-defense-minister-yoav-gallant-netanyahu/| archive-date = 26 March 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230326153125/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/25/israel-defense-minister-yoav-gallant-netanyahu/| url-status = live}}</ref> Netanyahu announced his intention to remove Gallant, sparking further protests and leading to Netanyahu agreeing to delay the legislation for a month.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last1 = Hendrix| first1 = Steve| last2 = Rubin| first2 = Shira| title = Netanyahu fires defense minister who called for halt to judicial overhaul| newspaper = Washington Post| access-date = 27 March 2023| date = 27 March 2023| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/26/israel-netanyahu-gallant-defense-minister/| archive-date = 8 June 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230608195623/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/26/israel-netanyahu-gallant-defense-minister/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |date=27 March 2023 |title=Israel: Netanyahu announces delay to judicial overhaul plan |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/israel-netanyahu-judiciary-plans-halt |access-date=28 March 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328030213/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/israel-netanyahu-judiciary-plans-halt |url-status=live }}</ref>{{update-inline|date=December 2025}}

In February 2023, the government approved the legalization of nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sokol |first1=Sam |last2=Samuels |first2=Ben |date=27 February 2023 |title=U.S. Announced Israeli Settlement Freeze, Netanyahu Rushed to Deny It |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-27/ty-article/.premium/u-s-announced-israeli-settlement-freeze-netanyahu-rushed-to-deny-it/00000186-926e-d064-afde-f7fed8d50000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180951/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-27/ty-article/.premium/u-s-announced-israeli-settlement-freeze-netanyahu-rushed-to-deny-it/00000186-926e-d064-afde-f7fed8d50000 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=Haaretz}}</ref> Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took charge of most of the Civil Administration, obtaining broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank. Israeli peace groups condemned the move as ''de jure'' annexation of the occupied territories.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-handed-sweeping-powers-over-west-bank-control-over-settlement-planning/|title=Smotrich handed sweeping powers over West Bank, control over settlement planning|first=Jeremy|last=Sharon|work=The Times of Israel|date=23 February 2023|access-date=7 October 2023|archive-date=5 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105011524/https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-handed-sweeping-powers-over-west-bank-control-over-settlement-planning/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/24/former-us-ambassador-accuses-israel-creeping-annexation-west-bank-israel-palestinians|title=Former US ambassador accuses Israel of 'creeping annexation' of the West Bank|first=Chris|last=McGreal|date=24 February 2023|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 October 2023|archive-date=24 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224143609/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/24/former-us-ambassador-accuses-israel-creeping-annexation-west-bank-israel-palestinians|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite web |last1=Rudoren |first1=Jodi |last2=Ashkenas |first2=Jeremy |date=12 March 2015 |title=Netanyahu and the Settlements |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/world/middleeast/netanyahu-west-bank-settlements-israel-election.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213053804/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/world/middleeast/netanyahu-west-bank-settlements-israel-election.html |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=2 January 2023 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In March, Netanyahu's government repealed a 2005 law whereby four Israeli settlements, Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim, were dismantled as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Samuels |first1=Ben |last2=Khoury |first2=Jack |last3=Sokol |first3=Sam |date=21 March 2023 |title=U.S. Denounces 'Provocative' Settlement Law, Slams Smotrich's 'Dangerous' Comments on Palestinians |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-21/ty-article/.premium/u-s-denounces-provocative-settlement-law-slams-smotrichs-comments-on-palestinians/00000187-0570-dde5-ab8f-277c93490000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508074448/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-21/ty-article/.premium/u-s-denounces-provocative-settlement-law-slams-smotrichs-comments-on-palestinians/00000187-0570-dde5-ab8f-277c93490000 |archive-date=8 May 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> In June, Netanyahu's coalition shortened the procedure of approving settlement construction, and gave Smotrich authority to approve one of the stages, changing the system operating for the previous 27 years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mraffko |first=Clothilde |date=21 June 2023 |title=Israeli government takes major step toward West Bank annexation |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/06/20/israeli-government-takes-major-step-toward-west-bank-annexation_6034532_4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008061731/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/06/20/israeli-government-takes-major-step-toward-west-bank-annexation_6034532_4.html |archive-date=8 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=Le Monde}}</ref> In its first six months, construction of 13,000 housing units in settlements, almost triple the amount advanced in the whole of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hands-smotrich-full-authority-to-expand-existing-settlements/|title=Netanyahu hands Smotrich full authority to expand existing settlements|first=Jeremy|last=Sharon|website=The Times of Israel |date=18 June 2023|access-date=7 October 2023|archive-date=13 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113063154/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hands-smotrich-full-authority-to-expand-existing-settlements/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:P20230920CS-0125 (53234992098).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with U.S. president Joe Biden in New York City, 20 September 2023]] Israel refused to send lethal weapons to Ukraine. In June 2023, Netanyahu said Israel is concerned "with the possibility that systems that we would give to Ukraine would fall into Iranian hands and could be reverse engineered, and we would find ourselves facing Israeli systems used against Israel."<ref>{{cite news |last=Iordache |first=Ruxandra |date=29 June 2023 |title=Israel's Netanyahu concerned its defense systems may reach Iran if sent to Ukraine |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/29/israels-netanyahu-concerned-its-defense-systems-may-reach-iran-if-sent-to-ukraine.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713104734/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/29/israels-netanyahu-concerned-its-defense-systems-may-reach-iran-if-sent-to-ukraine.html |archive-date=13 July 2023 |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=CNBC}}</ref>

On 7 October 2023, after Palestinian militants from Gaza launched a major surprise attack, Netanyahu announced that Israel would enter a war against Hamas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahman |first1=Ibrahim |last2=Gold |first2=Hadas |last3=Iszo |first3=Lauren |last4=Tal |first4=Amir |last5=Salman |first5=Abeer |last6=Khadder |first6=Kareem |last7=Richard |first7=Allen Greene |last8=Atay Alam |first8=Hande |date=7 October 2023 |title=Netanyahu says Israel is 'at war' as Palestinian militants launch surprise air and ground attack from Gaza |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008010528/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=8 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=CNN}}</ref> He threatened to "turn all the places where Hamas is organized and hiding into cities of ruins", called Gaza "the city of evil", and urged its residents to "leave now".<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: We will turn places where Hamas is hiding into 'cities of ruins' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skforn1za |work=Ynetnews |date=7 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015164027/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skforn1za |url-status=live }}</ref> He proposed opposition parties Yesh Atid and National Unity enter an emergency unity government,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharon |first=Jeremy |date=7 October 2023 |title=Netanyahu offers Lapid, Gantz to join him in emergency unity government |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-offers-lapid-gantz-to-join-him-in-emergency-unity-government/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007182953/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-offers-lapid-gantz-to-join-him-in-emergency-unity-government/ |archive-date=7 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> after Leader of the Opposition Lapid urged Netanyahu put "aside our differences and form an emergency, narrow, professional government."<ref>{{cite news |last=Keller-Lynn |first=Carrie |title=Lapid urges emergency government, says PM can't manage war with extreme cabinet |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-urges-emergency-government-says-pm-cant-manage-war-with-extreme-cabinet/ |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |date=7 October 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007182954/https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-urges-emergency-government-says-pm-cant-manage-war-with-extreme-cabinet/ |url-status=live |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>

Netanyahu was criticized for presiding over Israel's biggest intelligence failure in 50 years, and has faced protests calling for his removal. The war led to increased opposition to Netanyahu due to failure to anticipate the Hamas-led attack, with increased calls for Netanyahu's resignation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israelis blame gov't for Hamas massacre, say Netanyahu must resign |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-767880 |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=12 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022103941/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-767880 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hashmonai |first1=Adi |last2=Shimoni |first2=Ran |last3=Freidson |first3=Yael |date=20 January 2024 |title=Thousands Protest Across Israel Against Netanyahu's Government |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-20/ty-article/.premium/thousands-protest-across-israel-against-netanyahus-government/0000018d-282a-dd75-addd-faeb1faf0000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129002825/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-20/ty-article/.premium/thousands-protest-across-israel-against-netanyahus-government/0000018d-282a-dd75-addd-faeb1faf0000 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=Haaretz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 2024 |title=Protesters call for change to Netanyahu government |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/protesters-tel-aviv-call-change-netanyahu-government-2024-01-20/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> A 2023 poll showed that 56% of Israelis believed Netanyahu must resign after the war, with 86% holding the country's leadership responsible for the security failings that led to the attack.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231012-56-israelis-believe-netanyahu-should-resign-at-end-of-conflict-with-palestine-poll/ |title=56% Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign at end of conflict with Palestine: Poll |publisher=Middle East Monitor |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015191954/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231012-56-israelis-believe-netanyahu-should-resign-at-end-of-conflict-with-palestine-poll/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pfeffer |first=Anshel |date=8 October 2023 |title=Israel-Gaza conflict: Unthinkable security lapse on Netanyahu's watch |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/unthinkable-security-lapse-netanyahu-watch-analysis-israel-palestine-hamas-wxf5dd97f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028183017/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/unthinkable-security-lapse-netanyahu-watch-analysis-israel-palestine-hamas-wxf5dd97f |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israelis question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 'colossal failure' on security establishment |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/israelis-question-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-on-colossal-failure-on-security-establishment/cid/1972740 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028182415/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/israelis-question-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-on-colossal-failure-on-security-establishment/cid/1972740 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=The Telegraph Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu may end up the highest-ranking casualty of this attack |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/shocking-failure-of-israeli-security-a-blow-to-netanyahu/news-story/ba924d39fea487b748b9614e205fa365 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026211712/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/shocking-failure-of-israeli-security-a-blow-to-netanyahu/news-story/ba924d39fea487b748b9614e205fa365 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=The Australian}}</ref> On 28 October, Netanyahu was accused of using "dangerous rhetoric" when comparing Hamas to Amalek, stating: "You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible. And we do remember."<ref>{{cite news |title=The Dangerous History Behind Netanyahu's Amalek Rhetoric |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/benjamin-netanyahu-amalek-israel-palestine-gaza-saul-samuel-old-testament/ |work=The Mother Jones |date=3 November 2023 |access-date=31 December 2023 |archive-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124213319/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/11/benjamin-netanyahu-amalek-israel-palestine-gaza-saul-samuel-old-testament/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 October, Netanyahu blamed Israel's security chiefs for Hamas's attack in a post on X; this was deleted following criticism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=29 October 2023 |title=Netanyahu Apologizes After Blaming Security Chiefs for Failure in Hamas Attack |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/29/world/middleeast/netanyahu-apologizes-hamas-attack.html |access-date=29 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029135606/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/29/world/middleeast/netanyahu-apologizes-hamas-attack.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An investigation carried out by Shin Bet acknowledged the agency's failures, but found that Shin Bet warned the prime minister that Hamas was not deterred, and objected to the divide-and-rule policy vis-a-vis Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.<ref name=shabak>{{cite news |title=Probing October 7, Shin Bet Points Fingers at Netanyahu, Fueling Tensions With PM |access-date=11 March 2025 |publisher=Haaretz |date=5 March 2025|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-05/ty-article/.premium/shin-bet-oct-7-probe-finds-internal-failures-points-finger-at-prime-minister/00000195-62f1-db7b-afdd-f2fdc8cb0000}}</ref>[[File:Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 118th United States Congress (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C. with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Ben Cardin, 24 July 2024.]] In November, he rejected calls for a ceasefire and warned that Israel will "stand firm against the world if necessary." He said the Israel Defense Forces would remain in Gaza "as long as necessary" and Israel would prevent the Palestinian Authority from returning to Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: We'll defy the world if needed to defeat Hamas; PA can't run Gaza after war |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-vows-to-defeat-hamas-even-if-israel-has-to-stand-firm-against-the-world/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=12 November 2023 |access-date=13 November 2023 |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113120544/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-vows-to-defeat-hamas-even-if-israel-has-to-stand-firm-against-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu called allegations that Israel is breaking international law "hogwash" and described Palestinian civilian casualties as "collateral damage".<ref>{{cite news |first=Sanjana |last=Karanth|title=Netanyahu Calls Palestinians 'Collateral Damage' As Israel Destroys Gaza |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-gaza-collateral-damage_n_655119bfe4b0373d70b28a56 |work=HuffPost |date=12 November 2023 |access-date=13 November 2023 |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113115405/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-gaza-collateral-damage_n_655119bfe4b0373d70b28a56 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2023, he faced criticism during a meeting with released Israeli hostages. One hostage accused him of putting politics "above the return of the kidnapped."<ref>{{cite news |title=Leaked audio of heated meeting reveals hostages' fury at Netanyahu |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/06/middleeast/leaked-audio-of-heated-meeting-reveals-hostages-fury-at-netanyahu/index.html |work=CNN |date=6 December 2023 |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207212505/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/06/middleeast/leaked-audio-of-heated-meeting-reveals-hostages-fury-at-netanyahu/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu said Israel should support the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli MK: Countries in South America, Africa Offered to Accept Refugees From Gaza, in Exchange for Payment |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-26/ty-article/israeli-mk-israel-has-received-inquiries-from-countries-to-accept-refugees-from-gaza/0000018c-a50e-d408-a99f-ed5ec4f00000 |work=Haaretz |date=26 December 2023 |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226092458/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-26/ty-article/israeli-mk-israel-has-received-inquiries-from-countries-to-accept-refugees-from-gaza/0000018c-a50e-d408-a99f-ed5ec4f00000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Israel under Netanyahu has been accused of committing genocide in Gaza in the ''South Africa v. Israel'' case before the International Court of Justice in December 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Anita |date=4 January 2024 |title=South Africa to take Israel to Top UN Court on Genocide Claim in Gaza |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/south-africa-to-take-israel-to-top-un-court-on-genocide-claim-in-gaza-/7427539.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106225145/https://www.voanews.com/a/south-africa-to-take-israel-to-top-un-court-on-genocide-claim-in-gaza-/7427539.html |archive-date=6 January 2024 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=Voice of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf |title=Proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel on 29 December 2023 |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105144115/https://www.icj-cij.org/index.php/node/203394 |archive-date=5 January 2024 |url-status=live |work=International Court of Justice}}</ref> In May 2024, Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, announced his intention to apply for an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on counts of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.<ref name="ICCAW">{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Karim A.A. |date=20 May 2024 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC: Applications for arrest warrants in the situation in the State of Palestine |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520105912/https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=icc-cpi.int |publisher=International Criminal Court}}</ref><ref name="ICCAW CNN">{{Cite web |last=Kottasová |first=Ivana |date=20 May 2024 |title=EXCLUSIVE: ICC seeks arrest warrants against Sinwar and Netanyahu for war crimes over October 7 attack and Gaza war |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/20/middleeast/icc-israel-hamas-arrest-warrant-war-crimes-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520113208/https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/20/middleeast/icc-israel-hamas-arrest-warrant-war-crimes-intl/index.html |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2024, Netanyahu addressed another joint session of the United States Congress, amidst widespread protest, to solicit support for the Gaza war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archie |first=Ayane |date=24 July 2024 |title=About 200 people protesting Gaza war arrested in congressional building, police say |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/national/2024/07/24/about-200-people-protesting-gaza-war-arrested-in-congressional-building-police-say |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729102536/https://www.kpbs.org/news/national/2024/07/24/about-200-people-protesting-gaza-war-arrested-in-congressional-building-police-say |url-status=live }}</ref> He called protesters "useful idiots" and pledged a "total victory" in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=ELLEN KNICKMEYER |author2=FARNOUSH AMIRI |author3=ASHRAF KHALIL |date=24 July 2024 |title=In fiery speech to Congress, Netanyahu vows 'total victory' in Gaza and denounces US protesters |url=https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-congress-gaza-hamas-israel-6ea5daf3cd1988b0ad6e874bd450f9bf |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729081114/https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-congress-gaza-hamas-israel-6ea5daf3cd1988b0ad6e874bd450f9bf |url-status=live }}</ref> He met with 2024 Republican nominee for president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence where he criticized Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for vowing that she "will not be silent" about atrocities in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Atwood |first1=Kylie |last2=Treene |first2=Alayna |date=26 July 2024 |title=Trump meeting with Netanyahu for first time since departing White House |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/26/politics/trump-netanyahu-meeting-mar-a-lago/index.html |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729103937/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/26/politics/trump-netanyahu-meeting-mar-a-lago/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a bilateral exchange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Pentagon, USA on February 5, 2025 - 9.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on 5 February 2025 ]] In October 2024, a drone attack believed to have originated from Lebanon was made on Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea. Netanyahu was not in the residence, and no casualties were reported.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2024 |title=Drone strike launched toward Netanyahu's house, Israeli government says |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/strike-launched-israeli-prime-ministers-house-114950469 |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of trying to assassinate him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2024 |title=Netanyahu says drone attack targeting his residence was an attempt to 'assassinate' him |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241019-drone-attack-targets-netanyahu-residence-as-israeli-strikes-hammer-gaza |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

On 5 November 2024, Netanyahu fired defense minister Gallant, who had advocated for a short-term diplomatic deal. The firing triggered protests throughout Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2024 |title=Israel's Netanyahu dismisses his defense minister as wars rage. Protests erupt across country |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-gallant-gaza-war-lebanon-3810d3adb1603e8485b4be46a5b79f8b |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> On 21 November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza war.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2024 |title=Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly2exvx944o |work=BBC|first=David|last=Gritten}}</ref> Netanyahu described the ruling as "absurd and false lies" and said the decision is "antisemitic".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Belam |first1=Martin |title=Netanyahu says ICC warrant for his arrest over alleged war crimes is 'antisemitic' and 'absurd' – Middle East live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/nov/21/international-criminal-court-icc-arrest-warrant-benjamin-netanyahu-yoav-gallant-mohamed-deif-israel-gaza-war-crimes |work=The Guardian |date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

On the night of 18 March 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip, effectively ending the January 2025 Gaza war ceasefire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2025 |title=Israel breaks ceasefire with surprise airstrike, killing more than 400 Palestinians |url=https://apnews.com/live/latest-updates-israel-launches-new-wave-of-airstrikes-across-gaza-after-ceasefire-talks-stall#00000195-a988-d36f-a797-a99b37260000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319014017/https://apnews.com/live/latest-updates-israel-launches-new-wave-of-airstrikes-across-gaza-after-ceasefire-talks-stall#00000195-a988-d36f-a797-a99b37260000 |archive-date=19 March 2025 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Netanyahu was scheduled on 18 March to testify in his corruption trial, but as a result of the attacks, the proceedings were postponed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2025 |title=Netanyahu's court testimony today canceled; PM to hold urgent security consultation at 11 a.m. |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahus-court-testimony-today-canceled-pm-to-hold-urgent-security-consultation-at-11-a-m/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318212311/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahus-court-testimony-today-canceled-pm-to-hold-urgent-security-consultation-at-11-a-m/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2025, Netanyahu fired Ronen Bar, chief of Shin Bet, citing a loss of confidence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Who is Ronen Bar, the sacked chief of Israel's Shin Bet security service? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/who-is-ronen-bar-the-recently-sacked-chief-of-israel-shin-bet-security-service |work=The Guardian |date=21 March 2025}}</ref> Bar accused the government of firing him for investigating Qatar's involvement and influence in the Prime Minister's Office, in a case known as the Qatari connection affair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli Cabinet Votes Unanimously to Dismiss Shin Bet Head Ronen Bar |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-20/ty-article/.premium/shin-bet-chief-slams-pms-baseless-claims-improper-motives-as-govt-votes-on-dismissal/00000195-b4bd-df25-a9d7-f6fd95da0000 |work=Haaretz |date=20 March 2025}}</ref> [[File:The White House - 54437403521.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with President Donald Trump and Leo Terrell, the head of the Trump administration's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, 7 April 2025]] In May, Netanyahu stated that the destruction of homes in Gaza would lead to the forced emigration of Palestinians.<ref>{{cite news |title=PM said to tell MKs: Israel destroying homes in Gaza, so Palestinians have nowhere else to go but outside the Strip |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/pm-said-to-tell-mks-israel-destroying-homes-in-gaza-so-palestinians-have-nowhere-else-to-go-but-outside-the-strip/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

On 13 June, Netanyahu authorized airstrikes against Iran, marking the beginning of the Twelve-Day War.<ref name="unprecedented">{{cite news |title=Israel hits Iran's nuclear program and military leadership in unprecedented strikes |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/12/middleeast/israel-iran-strikes-intl-hnk |work=CNN |date=13 June 2025}}</ref> Within a week, Netanyahu publicly commented on the effects of the war: "Each of us bears a personal cost, and my family has not been exempt", as he cited that it was "the second time that my son Avner has cancelled a wedding due to missile threats."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |last2=Kierszenbaum |first2=Quique |title=Netanyahu stuns Israelis by describing 'personal cost' of Iran war – postponing son's wedding |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/19/netanyahu-son-wedding-comments-israel-backlash |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=19 June 2025}}</ref> In July, Netanyahu was criticized for deciding to increase Gaza aid distribution by some in his cabinet, who rejected the U.S. ceasefire proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2025 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu clashes with IDF chief over Gaza aid delivery |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-860090 |access-date=8 July 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X }}</ref>

In August 2025, Netanyahu said in an interview that he was on a "historic and spiritual mission" and "very" attached to the vision of Greater Israel,<ref>{{cite news |title=Arab, Islamic countries condemn Netanyahu's 'Greater Israel' remark |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/16/arab-islamic-countries-condemn-netanyahus-greater-israel-remark |work=Al Jazeera |date=16 August 2025}}</ref> which includes the Palestinian territories and other Arab states.<ref>{{cite news|title= Netanyahu says he's on a 'historic and spiritual mission,' also feels a connection to vision of Greater Israel|url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-says-hes-on-a-historic-and-spiritual-mission-endorses-vision-of-greater-israel/|website=The Times of Israel|date=12 August 2025}}</ref> On 21 September, Netanyahu rejected the existence of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, saying, "For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state facing tremendous pressures at home and abroad."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boxerman |first1=Aaron |title=Recognition or Not, a Palestinian State Seems More Remote Than Ever |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/world/middleeast/palestinian-recognition-israel.html |work=The New York Times |date=22 September 2025}}</ref> In Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly, he opposed international recognition of a Palestinian state. As Netanyahu commenced his speech, dozens of individuals exited the hall in protest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Netanyahu calls Palestinian recognition 'disgraceful', as dozens walk out of UN speech |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cdxqe17njggt |website=BBC}}</ref> [[File:Prime Minister of Bharat, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi is welcomed by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu on his arrival to Israel.jpg|thumb|Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcomed by Netanyahu on his arrival in Israel, 25 February 2026]] On 7 November, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Turkey issued international arrest warrants for Netanyahu and 36 other Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/07/middleeast/turkey-issues-genocide-arrest-warrant-against-netanyahu-intl-latam |title=Turkey issues 'genocide' arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials |newspaper=CNN |date=7 November 2025 |first1=Hira |last1=Humayun |first2=Betül |last2=Tuncer |first3=Tamar |last3=Michaelis}}</ref> The charges were based on Israel's attacks on civilians, hospitals, infrastructure and the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli navy while delivering aid to Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/turkey-issues-arrest-warrants-netanyahu-katz-and-ben-gvir-over-genocide |title=Turkey issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Katz and Ben-Gvir over genocide charges |newspaper=Middle East Eye |date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

Under Netanyahu's premiership, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state, in December 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's foreign minister on historic visit to Somaliland |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyrexdgzn9o |work=BBC |date=6 January 2026}}</ref>

In March 2026, after Israel dropped charges against Israeli soldiers accused of sexual assault at the Sde Teiman torture camp, Netanyahu said "Israel must pursue its enemies – not its heroic fighters".<ref>{{cite news |last1=FRANKEL |first1=JULIA |title=Israeli military drops charges against soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-war-palestinians-prison-abuse-b11e5f0639b7fe51c5ea101f4b320f56 |work=AP News |date=12 March 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shalev |first1=Tal |last2=Liebermann |first2=Oren |last3=Salman |first3=Abeer |title=Assault charges against Israeli soldiers dropped in controversial end to a yearlong scandal |url=https://lite.cnn.com/2026/03/12/middleeast/israel-charges-dismissed-sde-teiman-intl |work=CNN |date=12 March 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israel drops charges on five soldiers accused of abusing Palestinian detainee |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/03/12/israel-drops-charges-on-five-soldiers-accused-of-abusing-palestinian-detainee_6751389_4.html |work=Le Monde |date=12 March 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Press release |url=https://www.gov.il/he/pages/spoke-cancellation120326 |website=gov.il |language=he |date=12 March 2026}}</ref>

In February 2026, Israel and the United States launched a major military offensive against Iran with the stated goal of inducing regime change.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sanger|first=David E.|author-link=David E. Sanger|date=28 February 2026|title=For Trump, the Iran Attack Is the Ultimate War of Choice|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/us/politics/trump-iran-attack.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=2 March 2026}}</ref> According to multiple diplomatic sources, Netanyahu lobbied U.S. President Donald Trump to initiate the joint strikes.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Pager |first3=Tyler |last4=Wong |first4=Edward |last5=Schmitt |first5=Eric |last6=Bergman |first6=Ronen |date=2 March 2026 |title=How Trump Decided to Go to War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/us/politics/trump-war-iran-israel.html |access-date=10 March 2026 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Trump approved Iran operation after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-approved-iran-operation-after-netanyahu-argued-joint-killing-khamenei-2026-03-23/ |work=Reuters |date=24 March 2026}}</ref>

In April 2026, Netanyahu said "There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security."<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=2042314584363528304 |user=GPOIsrael |title=*Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu* Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Thursday, 9 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]: "Dear residents of the North, I am proud of you. You continue to stand firm. I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security. Our great achievements, both in Iran and against the Axis of Evil, have brought about a historic shift in Israel’s standing in the region. They have also led to a change in our ties with countries we did not have relations with in the past. Following repeated requests from the Lebanese government to open peace negotiations with us, last night I instructed the Cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve two goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah. Second, a historic, sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel is stronger than ever; Iran is weaker than ever. I have already brought four peace agreements with Arab nations, and I intend to bring more – true peace, peace through strength." |date= |author-link=Government Press Office (Israel) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |author1-link=Julian Borger |title=Netanyahu says there is no ceasefire in Lebanon as Israel launches fresh strikes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/israel-bombing-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-condemnation |work=The Guardian |date=10 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chutel |first1=Lynsey |last2=Baskar |first2=Pranav |title=What to Know About Israel’s Strikes on Lebanon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/world/middleeast/what-to-know-israel-strikes-lebanon.html |work=The New York Times |date=9 April 2026 |language=en |quote=“I insisted that the temporary cease-fire with Iran not include Hezbollah, and we continue to pound it forcefully,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a television address on Wednesday.}}</ref>

== Political positions == {{Conservatism in Israel|Politicians}}

=== Authoritarianism === Under Netanyahu's rule, Israel experienced authoritarianism, democratic backsliding, corruption,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Moskovich|first=Yaffa|year=2009|title=Authoritarian Management Style in the Likud Party Under the Leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu|journal=International Journal of Leadership Studies|volume=4|issue=2|pages=141–160|url=https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/ijls/new/vol4iss2/IJLS_V4Is2_Moskovich.pdf}}</ref><ref name="court">{{cite web|date=27 March 2025|title=Israeli parliament passes law expanding political control of judicial appointments|work=France 24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250327-israel-parliament-passes-judicial-reform-law-opposition-challenges|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327103906/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250327-israel-parliament-passes-judicial-reform-law-opposition-challenges|archive-date=27 March 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="court2">{{cite web|last1=Eisen|first1=Norman|last2=Patel|first2=Mansi|last3=Smith|first3=Kai|date=10 April 2023|title=The corruption and autocracy nexus: The case of "King Bibi"|work=Brookings|url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-corruption-and-autocracy-nexus-the-case-of-king-bibi/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628192859/https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-corruption-and-autocracy-nexus-the-case-of-king-bibi/|archive-date=28 June 2023|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="weakens">{{cite web|last=Hirsch|first=Michal Ben-Josef|date=24 July 2024|title=As Hamas war drags on, Israeli democracy weakens further|work=The Conversation|url=https://theconversation.com/as-hamas-war-drags-on-israeli-democracy-weakens-further-234339|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724124122/https://theconversation.com/as-hamas-war-drags-on-israeli-democracy-weakens-further-234339|archive-date=24 July 2024|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> and expansionism.<ref>{{cite web|last=Imbert|first=Louis|date=15 April 2025|title=Israel is pushing its dangerous expansionism on the Middle East|work=Le Monde|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/04/15/israel-is-imposing-its-dangerous-expansionism-on-the-middle-east_6740225_23.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421042909/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/04/15/israel-is-imposing-its-dangerous-expansionism-on-the-middle-east_6740225_23.html|archive-date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref> The Israeli Military Censor had long censored thousands of news articles annually.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2021 |title=נתונים חדשים חושפים טפח מאחורי הקלעים של יחסי הצנזורה הצבאית והעיתונות הישראלית |url=https://www.the7eye.org.il/419412 |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=העין השביעית |language=he-IL}}</ref> During the Gaza war, Israel intensified protest and news censorship, including reports about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.<ref>{{cite web|last=Young|first=Eve|date=4 April 2024|title=Israel Police censoring anti-war signs in protests, demonstrators say|work=The Jerusalem Post|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-795368|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404150927/https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-795368|archive-date=4 April 2024|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fischer|first1=Sara|last2=Ravid|first2=Barak|date=1 April 2024|title=Netanyahu signals he will shutter local Al Jazeera bureau under new law|work=Axios|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/al-jazeera-shuttered-israel-netanyahu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408222018/https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/al-jazeera-shuttered-israel-netanyahu|archive-date=8 April 2024|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Matar|first=Haggai|date=20 May 2024|title=Israeli military censor bans highest number of articles in over a decade|url=https://www.972mag.com/israeli-military-censor-media-2023/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520153622/https://www.972mag.com/israeli-military-censor-media-2023/|archive-date=20 May 2024|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tondo|first=Lorenzo|date=17 August 2025|title= Israeli media 'completely ignored' Gaza starvation – is that finally changing?|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/17/israeli-media-completely-ignored-gaza-starvation-is-that-finally-changing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817191542/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/17/israeli-media-completely-ignored-gaza-starvation-is-that-finally-changing|archive-date=17 August 2025|access-date=17 August 2025}}</ref> Netanyahu's attempts to revamp judicial systems have been accused of being efforts to elevate authoritarianism and protect him from corruption charges;<ref name="court"/><ref name="court2"/> he in turn accused the "leftist Deep state" of attempting to weaponize the justice system against him and Israel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tharoor|first=Ishaan|date=21 March 2025|title=Under Trump, the authoritarian age comes into focus|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/21/trump-authoritarian-erdogan-netanyahu-orban/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321115905/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/21/trump-authoritarian-erdogan-netanyahu-orban/|archive-date=21 March 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

He has made populist statements regarding anti-Arab racism involving narratives of conflict with Jews, in particular of anti-Palestinianism.<ref name="weakens"/> Netanyahu's administration has moved towards far-right politics and been described as the most far-right government in Israeli history. He has allied Israel with other illiberal, authoritarian leaders from Hungary, Russia, and the US.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Aron|first1=Hadas|last2=Holland|first2=Emily J.|year=2024|title=Illiberal Leaders in the International Arena: The Cases of Hungary and Israel|journal=The Journal of Illiberalism Studies|volume=4|number=2|pages=59–77|doi=10.53483/XCPW3576|doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Israeli–Palestinian conflict === Netanyahu opposed the Oslo Accords. In 1993 he argued against the Oslo peace process in his book ''A Place Among the Nations''. He asserted incorrectly<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/21/netanyahu-under-fire-for-palestinian-grand-mufti-holocaust-claim |title=Anger at Netanyahu claim Palestinian grand mufti inspired Holocaust|first=Peter|last=Beaumont |work=The Guardian|date=21 October 2015|access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> that Amin al-Husseini had been a mastermind of the Holocaust, and Yasser Arafat was heir to the former's "alleged exterminationist Nazism".<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1111/jore.12119|title = Holocaust Abuse| journal=Journal of Religious Ethics| volume=43| issue=4| pages=723–759|year = 2015|last1 = Sells|first1 = Michael A. | issn = 0384-9694 }}</ref> During his term as prime minister in the 1990s, Netanyahu reneged on commitments made by previous Israeli governments as part of the peace process, leading peace envoy Dennis Ross to note that "neither President Clinton nor Secretary [of State Madeleine] Albright believed that Bibi had any real interest in pursuing peace."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/27/us-jewish-groups-help-make-palestinian-state-impossible.html |title=How U.S. Jews Stymie Peace Talks |last=Beinart |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Beinart |date=27 September 2010 |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530210231/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/27/us-jewish-groups-help-make-palestinian-state-impossible.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2001 video, Netanyahu, reportedly unaware he was being recorded, said: {{blockquote|They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo Accords] […] I said I would, but ... I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue.<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite news|title=Netanyahu: 'America is a thing you can move very easily'|first=Glenn|last=Kessler|author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=16 July 2010|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/07/netanyahu_america_is_a_thing_y.html|access-date=17 July 2010|archive-date=30 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630145349/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/07/netanyahu_america_is_a_thing_y.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

In 2009, speaking at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu promised not to repeat the "mistake" of the Gaza pullout, adding that "the unilateral evacuation brought neither peace nor security. On the contrary". He said, "Should we achieve a turn toward peace with the more moderate partners, we will insist on the recognition of the State of Israel and the demilitarization of the future Palestinian state".<ref name=sofer>{{cite news |last=Sofer |first=Roni |title=Netanyahu vows not to repeat 'mistake' of Gaza pullout |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3759065,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-date=10 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810185525/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3759065,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: I won't repeat Gaza evacuation mistake |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-i-won-t-repeat-gaza-evacuation-mistake-1.281670 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024092117/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-i-won-t-repeat-gaza-evacuation-mistake-1.281670 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014, Netanyahu said: {{blockquote|We don't just hand over territory, close our eyes and hope for the best. We did that in Lebanon and we got thousands of rockets. We did that in Gaza, we got Hamas and 15,000 rockets. So we're not gonna just replicate that. We want to see genuine recognition of the Jewish state and rock solid security arrangements on the ground. That's the position I've held, and it's only become firmer.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dovid|last=Efune|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/10/06/netanyahu-says-stance-on-security-requirements-has-become-%E2%80%98firmer%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98we-don%E2%80%99t-just-hand-over-territory-close-our-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best%E2%80%99-interview/|title=Netanyahu Says Stance On Security Requirements Has Become 'Firmer'|work=Algemeiner Journal|date=6 October 2014|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008072442/http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/10/06/netanyahu-says-stance-on-security-requirements-has-become-%E2%80%98firmer%E2%80%99-%E2%80%98we-don%E2%80%99t-just-hand-over-territory-close-our-eyes-and-hope-for-the-best%E2%80%99-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Netanyahu had previously called U.S.-backed peace talks a waste of time<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032000694_pf.html|first=Howard|last=Schneider|title=Poll Gives Netanyahu Positive Marks Despite Rift with US|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=20 March 2009|access-date=20 March 2009|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402093058/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032000694_pf.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and refused to commit to the same two-state solution as had other Israeli leaders<ref>{{cite news |title=Why isn't Netanyahu backing two-state solution? |first=Aluf |last=Benn |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-why-isn-t-netanyahu-backing-two-state-solution-1.271126 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320022652/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-why-isn-t-netanyahu-backing-two-state-solution-1.271126 |url-status=dead }}</ref> until 2009. He made statements which advocated an "economic peace" approach, based on economic cooperation and joint effort rather than continuous contention over political and diplomatic issues. This is in line with many significant ideas from the Peace Valley plan.<ref name="haaretz 11-21-08">{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Economics, not politics, is the key to peace |first=Raphael |last=Ahren |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-economics-not-politics-is-the-key-to-peace-1.257617 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=20 November 2008 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312084527/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-economics-not-politics-is-the-key-to-peace-1.257617 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He raised these ideas during discussions with U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu offers new peace vision |first=Roni |last=Sofer |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3619204,00.html |work=Ynet |date=7 November 2008 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005051308/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3619204,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu said: <blockquote> Right now, the peace talks are based on only one thing, only on peace talks. It makes no sense at this point to talk about the most contractible issue. It's Jerusalem or bust, or right of return or bust. That has led to failure and is likely to lead to failure again ... We must weave an economic peace alongside a political process. That means that we have to strengthen the moderate parts of the Palestinian economy by handing rapid growth in those areas, rapid economic growth that gives a stake for peace for the ordinary Palestinians."<ref name="haaretz 11-21-08"/></blockquote>

In January 2009, Netanyahu informed Middle East envoy Tony Blair that he would continue the policy of the Israeli governments by expanding West Bank settlements, in contravention of the Road Map, but not building new ones.<ref>{{cite news |title=Likud allow settlement expansion |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7851140.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=26 January 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=17 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917221726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7851140.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Quote box | width = 290px | align = right | quote = Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank. | source = Benjamin Netanyahu, 2019<ref name="Vox15Oct">{{cite news |last1=Beauchamp |first1=Zack |title=Benjamin Netanyahu failed Israel |url=https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |work=Vox |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010010626/https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shumsky |first1=Dmitry |title=Why Did Netanyahu Want to Strengthen Hamas? |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |work=Haaretz |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015020543/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

In 2013, Netanyahu denied reports that his government would agree to peace talks on the basis of the green line.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israel-agrees-to-peace-talks-based-on-67-lines-320250 |title=Netanyahu denies agreeing to peace talks based on '67 lines. |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=18 July 2013 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-date=11 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111214857/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israel-agrees-to-peace-talks-based-on-67-lines-320250 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014 he agreed to the American framework based on the green line and said Jewish settlers must be allowed the option of staying in their settlements under Palestinian rule.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israeli-official-palestine-should-allow-settlers |title=Israeli official: Palestine should allow settlers |last1=Heller |first1=Aron |date=26 January 2014 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232009/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israeli-official-palestine-should-allow-settlers |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-says-he-agreed-to-US-proposal-for-talks-with-Palestinians-based-on-67-lines-377983 |title=Netanyahu says he agreed to US proposal for talks with Palestinians based on '67 lines |date=3 October 2014 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003024210/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-says-he-agreed-to-US-proposal-for-talks-with-Palestinians-based-on-67-lines-377983 |archive-date=3 October 2014 }}</ref>

{{Further|Israeli support for Hamas}} For years Netanyahu backed Qatari transfers of hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza, in the hope it would pacify Gaza, turn Hamas into an effective counterweight to the Palestinian Authority and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Elbagir |first1=Nima |last2=Arvanitidis |first2=Barbara |last3=Platt |first3=Alex |last4=Ebrahim |first4=Nadeen |date=11 December 2023 |title=Qatar sent millions to Gaza for years – with Israel's backing. Here's what we know about the controversial deal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Tal |date=8 October 2023 |title=For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it's blown up in our faces |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/ |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref> In 2019, Netanyahu said at a private Likud party meeting, "Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank."<ref name="Vox15Oct" /><ref name=GuardianDoctrine>{{Cite news |last=Leifer |first=Joshua |date=21 November 2023 |title=The Netanyahu doctrine: how Israel's longest-serving leader reshaped the country in his image |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/21/the-netanyahu-doctrine-how-israels-longest-serving-leader-reshaped-the-country-in-his-image |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2019 |title=Netanyahu: Money to Hamas part of strategy to keep Palestinians divided |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/netanyahu-money-to-hamas-part-of-strategy-to-keep-palestinians-divided-583082 |access-date=25 November 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> Often, cash was delivered in suitcases by a Qatari official escorted by Israeli intelligence.<ref name="buyingquiet">{{Cite news |last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |date=10 December 2023 |title='Buying Quiet': Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-qatar-money-prop-up-hamas.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Netanyahu continued backing the payments as late as September 2023.<ref name="buyingquiet" /> In 2025, Shin Beth started an investigation into the alleged ties between Netanyahu's advisors and Qatar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shin Bet launches inquiry into Netanyahu aides' ties with Qatar |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-launches-inquiry-into-netanyahu-aides-ties-with-qatar/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |work=The Times of Israel |date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Trump Peace Plan Map.jpg|thumb|left|Netanyahu publicly supported the Trump peace plan for the creation of a Palestinian state.]] In January 2020, Netanyahu publicly supported Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Trump Middle East peace plan 'deal of the century' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-51289277/netanyahu-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-deal-of-the-century |publisher=BBC News |date=28 January 2020 |access-date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728133534/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-51289277/netanyahu-trump-middle-east-peace-plan-deal-of-the-century |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Halbfinger |first=David M. |date=9 November 2020 |title=Biden's Win Means a Demotion for Netanyahu and Less Focus on Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/biden-israel.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109100810/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/middleeast/biden-israel.html |archive-date=9 November 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> After the proposal failed, Trump said Netanyahu "never wanted peace" with the Palestinians.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trump says Netanyahu "never wanted peace" with the Palestinians|url=https://www.axios.com/2021/12/13/trump-middle-east-peace-netanyahu|access-date=11 November 2023|archive-date=11 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111184741/https://www.axios.com/2021/12/13/trump-middle-east-peace-netanyahu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Joseph |date=13 December 2021 |title=Trump: Netanyahu 'never wanted peace' with Palestinians |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/585520-trump-netanyahu-never-wanted-peace-with-palestinians-report/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109085836/https://thehill.com/policy/international/585520-trump-netanyahu-never-wanted-peace-with-palestinians-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kushner: Trump Was Livid With Netanyahu Over Annexation and Considered Supporting Gantz |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-01/ty-article/.premium/kushner-trump-was-livid-with-netanyahu-over-annexation-and-considered-supporting-gantz/00000182-5a9f-d339-a5ef-df9f195f0000 |access-date=11 November 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125163814/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-01/ty-article/.premium/kushner-trump-was-livid-with-netanyahu-over-annexation-and-considered-supporting-gantz/00000182-5a9f-d339-a5ef-df9f195f0000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wade |first=Peter |date=13 December 2021 |title=Trump Blames Netanyahu, Not Himself, for Failed Israel-Palestine Peace Deal |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-blames-netanyahu-israel-palestine-peace-failure-1270936/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111185355/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-blames-netanyahu-israel-palestine-peace-failure-1270936/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that in 2017, Netanyahu showed Trump a fake video of Palestinian president Abbas calling for the killing of children. This was when Trump was considering if Israel was the obstacle to peace. Netanyahu had showed Trump the video to change his position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/netanyahu-used-doctored-video-of-abbas-to-influence-trump-s-policy-woodward-reveals-1.9149688|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913004411/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/netanyahu-used-doctored-video-of-abbas-to-influence-trump-s-policy-woodward-reveals-1.9149688|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2020|title=Netanyahu used doctored video of Abbas to influence Trump's policy, Woodward reveals|work=Haaretz|date=12 September 2020}}</ref>

The U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords led to normalization of relations through the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement and Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Abraham Accords |publisher=U.S. Department of State|website=state.gov |url=https://www.state.gov/the-abraham-accords/}}</ref> This was the first time an Arab country had normalized relations with Israel since Jordan in 1994. The accords were signed by Bahrain's foreign minister, UAE's foreign minister and Netanyahu in September 2020 at the White House.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign Abraham Accord; Trump says "dawn of new Middle East" |work=Press Trust of India |publisher=The Hindu |date=16 September 2020 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-uae-and-bahrain-sign-abraham-accord-trump-says-dawn-of-new-middle-east/article32616867.ece}}</ref>

[[File:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50345629858).jpg|thumb|right|White House Abraham Accords signing ceremony on 15 September 2020]] In October 2020, president Trump announced that Sudan would start to normalize ties with Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump Announces US-Brokered Israel-Sudan Normalization |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_trump-announces-us-brokered-israel-sudan-normalization/6197531.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=23 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Yes, Israeli-Sudanese normalization is a big deal |url=https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/yes-israeli-sudanese-normalization-is-a-big-deal/ |work=Asia Times|first=Shaiel|last=Ben-Ephraim |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Sudan fought in wars against Israel in 1948 and 1967.<ref>{{cite news |title='Yes, yes, yes': Why peace with Khartoum would be true paradigm shift for Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/yes-yes-yes-why-peace-with-khartoum-would-be-true-paradigm-shift-for-israel/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> Netanyahu thanked Trump, saying that "together with him we are changing history ... despite all the experts and commentators who said it was impossible. Israel was completely isolated and they told us we were heading into a political tsunami. What's happening is the absolute opposite."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu hints at Israel role in past Sudan raids, hails Mideast's changing map |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hints-at-israeli-role-in-sudan-bombings-predicts-more-peace-deals/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> This was followed by the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 December 2020|title=Morocco latest country to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55266089}}</ref> In 2024, Pakistan officially designated him a "terrorist", calling him responsible for the atrocities in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-calls-israel-s-netanyahu-a-terrorist-/7705182.html|title=Pakistan calls Israel's Netanyahu a "terrorist"|date=19 July 2024|work=Voice of America|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>

=== Economic views === {{Quote box | width = 290px | align = right | quote = You want to have a meritocracy. You want to have initiative, risk, talent, the ability to create new products, new services to be rewarded ... It's always been about competition. That's what human progress is about. You want to siphon it into productive ways. | source = Benjamin Netanyahu, ''The Marker'', 2014<ref name="haaretz.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2014-04-11/ty-article/.premium/bibi-media-to-blame-for-crony-capitalism/0000017f-e16f-d7b2-a77f-e36f51c80000|title=Netanyahu: Corporate media is responsible for Israeli crony capitalism|first=Guy|last=Rolnik|work=Haaretz|date=11 April 2014}}</ref> }} By 1998, Netanyahu had a reputation as a free-market advocate, and in 1999 told the ''Jerusalem Post'': "Peace is an end of itself [...] peace, without free markets, will not produce growth. But free markets without peace do produce growth."<ref>{{cite book|last=Hofmann|first=Sabine|date=12 April 2016|orig-year=2012|chapter=Regional Cooperation Under Conflict: Israeli–Arab Business Cooperation in the Middle East |title=Beyond Regionalism?: Regional Cooperation, Regionalism and Regionalization in the Middle East|edition=1st ed. ebook|editor1-first=Cilja|editor1-last=Harders|editor2-first=Matteo|editor2-last=Legrenzi|publisher=Ashgate Publishing Company|location=Burlington, Vermont|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=g1oWULcHdZAC&pg=PA191#v=onepage&q&f=false 191]|isbn=978-1-315-56925-3|doi=10.4324/9781315569253|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g1oWULcHdZAC|via=Google Books|postscript=none}}, quoting {{cite journal |last1=Barak |first1=Jeff |last2=Harman|first2=Danna|date=11 May 1999|title='The only peace that will hold is a peace we can defend'|journal=The Jerusalem Post|volume=LXVII|number=20228|page=A8–A9, A14 |id={{ProQuest|1440970870}}|ref=noharv}}</ref> In his first term, he significantly reformed banking, removing barriers to investment abroad, mandatory purchases of government securities and direct credit. As finance minister (2003–2005), Netanyahu introduced a welfare to work program, a program of privatization, reduced the public sector, streamlined taxation, and passed laws against monopolies and cartels to increase competition.<ref name="Likud Leaders 2015"/> Netanyahu extended capital gains taxes from companies to individuals, which allowed him to enlarge the tax base while reducing taxes on incomes.<ref>''Arik: The Life of Ariel Sharon'', By David Landau (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group 2014), Chapter 14.</ref> As the economy started booming and unemployment fell significantly, Netanyahu was widely credited by commentators as having performed an 'economic miracle'.<ref name="Likud Leaders 2015"/> Direct investment in the Israeli economy had increased by an annualized 380%.<ref>[http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000016013 Foreign investment in Israel at record levels] Globes, 26 September 2005, Zeev Klein.</ref> On the other hand, his critics have labelled his economic views as Margaret Thatcher-inspired "popular capitalism".<ref>''The Political Right in Israel: Different Faces of Jewish Populism'', by Dani Filc (Routledge, 2009), p. 65.</ref>

Netanyahu defines capitalism as "the ability to have individual initiative and competition to produce goods and services with profit, but not to shut out somebody else from trying to do the same".<ref name="haaretz.com"/> His views developed while he was working for Boston Consulting Group: "They wanted to do a strategic plan for the government of Sweden. I was on that case and looked at other governments. So I went around to other governments in Europe in 1976 and I was looking at Britain. I was looking at France. I was looking at other countries, and I could see that they were stymied by concentrations of power that prevented competition. And I thought, hmm, as bad as they are, ours was worse because we had very little room for private sector competition to the extent that we had government-controlled or union-controlled companies, and so you really didn't get the competition or the growth ... And I said, well, if I ever have a chance, I'll change that."<ref name="haaretz.com"/>

=== Views on counter-terrorism === {{Quote box | width = 290px | align = right | quote = The essence of democratic societies, and that which distinguishes them from dictatorships, is the commitment to resolve conflict in a nonviolent fashion by settling issues through argument and debate ... The salient point that has to be underlined again and again is that nothing justifies terrorism, that it is evil per se – that the various real or imagined reasons proffered by the terrorists to justify their actions are meaningless. | source = Benjamin Netanyahu, 1995<ref name="Farrar, Straus and Giroux">{{cite book |title=Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism |author=Benjamin Netanyahu |year=1995 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-15492-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/19 19] |url=https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/19 }}</ref> }}

Netanyahu has said his "hard line against all terrorists" came as a result of his brother's death. Yoni Netanyahu was killed while leading the hostage-rescue mission at Operation Entebbe.<ref>Thomas, Gordon. ''Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad'', Macmillan Publishers (2009) p. 145 {{ISBN missing}}</ref>

In addition to taking part in counter-terrorist operations during his military service, Netanyahu has published three books on fighting terrorism. He identifies terrorism as a form of totalitarianism, writing: <blockquote>The more far removed the target of the attack from any connection to the grievance enunciated by the terrorists, the greater the terror ... Yet for terrorism to have any impact, it is precisely the lack of connection, the lack of any possible involvement or "complicity" of the chosen victims in the cause the terrorists seek to attack, that produces the desired fear. For terrorism's underlying message is that every member of society is "guilty", that anyone can be a victim, and that therefore no one is safe...the methods reveal the totalitarian strain that runs through all terrorist groups... It is not only that the ends of the terrorists do not succeed in justifying the means they choose; their choice of means indicate what their true ends are. Far from being fighters for freedom, terrorists are the forerunners of tyranny. Terrorists use the techniques of violent coercion in order to achieve a regime of violent coercion.<ref>{{cite book |title=Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism |author=Benjamin Netanyahu |year=1995 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-15492-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/8 8–9] |url=https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/8 }}</ref></blockquote>Netanyahu cautions that:<blockquote>The trouble with active anti-terror activities... is that they do constitute a substantial intrusion on the lives of those being monitored.</blockquote>He believes there is a balance between civil liberties and security, which should depend on the level of sustained terrorist attacks in a country. During periods of sustained attack, there should be shift towards security, due to "the monstrous violation of personal rights which is the lot of the victims of terror and their families".<ref name="fightingterroris00neta-33">{{cite book |title=Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism |author=Benjamin Netanyahu|year=1995 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-15492-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/33 33] |url=https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/33 }}</ref> But this should be regularly reviewed, with an emphasis on guarding civil liberties and individual privacy wherever and whenever security considerations allow:<ref name="fightingterroris00neta-33" /> "The concern of civil libertarians over possible infringements of the rights of innocent citizens is well placed, and all additional powers granted the security services should require annual renewal by the legislature, this in addition to judicial oversight of actions as they are taken in the field."<ref name="fightingterroris00neta-142">{{cite book |title=Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism |author=Benjamin Netanyahu |year=1995 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-15492-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/142 142] |url=https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta/page/142 }}</ref>

He advises tighter immigration laws as an essential to preemptively combat terrorism: "This era of immigration free-for-all should be brought to an end. An important aspect of taking control of the immigration situation is stricter background checks of potential immigrants, coupled with the real possibility of deportation."<ref name="fightingterroris00neta-142"/>

He cautions that it is essential that governments do not conflate terrorists with those legitimate political groups that may or may not hold extremist views, but which advance their positions by means of debate and argument.<ref name="Farrar, Straus and Giroux"/> Ronald Reagan was an admirer of Netanyahu's work on counter-terrorism, and Reagan recommended Netanyahu's book ''Terrorism: How the West Can Win'' to figures in his administration.<ref name="star" />

=== Death penalty === In 2017, Netanyahu called for the death penalty to be imposed on the perpetrator of the 2017 Halamish stabbing attack.<ref name="DeathPenaltyHalamish">{{cite news|title=Netanyahu demands death penalty for Halamish terrorist|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-demands-death-penalty-for-halamish-terrorist/|access-date=27 July 2017|work=The Times of Israel|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> Representatives in his government introduced a bill which would allow the death penalty for terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-to-advance-bill-setting-death-penalty-for-terrorists/|title=Israeli leaders push for 'terrorist' death penalty|agency=Agence France-Presse|work=The Times of Israel|date=17 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/1.5347505|title=Gesetzesinitiative: Israel will Todesstrafe für Terroristen einführen|website=www.faz.net}}</ref> In a preliminary vote in 2018, 52 of 120 members of parliament voted in favor while 49 opposed, to make it easier for judges to hand down the death penalty. The amendment to the penal code required three more readings to become law.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-deathpenalty/israeli-death-penalty-advocates-win-preliminary-vote-in-parliament-idUSKBN1ES1DT|title=Israeli death penalty advocates win preliminary vote in parliament|publisher=Reuters|date=3 January 2018}}</ref>

On 30 March 2026, Netanyahu went to the Knesset to be physically present to vote in support of the bill approving the application of the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of terrorism, which passed 62-48.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frankel |first=Julia |date=30 March 2026 |title=Israel’s parliament approves the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-death-penalty-bill-knesset-ben-gvir-c67c1c14f218a4d67ed3d5011cd5cf8d |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=The Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lubell |first=Maayan |last2=Magid |first2=Pesha |date=30 March 2026 |title=Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-death-penalty-bill-palestinian-murder-convicts-faces-vote-2026-03-30/ |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Neev |first=Keshet |last2=Halpern |first2=Sam |date=30 March 2026 |title=Knesset approves death penalty for terrorists bill, Netanyahu in favor |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-891688 |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

=== LGBT rights === Netanyahu supports equal rights for LGBT persons. He said: "The struggle for every person to be recognized as equal before the law is a long struggle, and there is still a long way to go ... I am proud that Israel is among the most open countries in the world in relation to the LGBT community discourse."<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/landedpages/printarticle.aspx?id=405669 PM to LGBT community: Israel among world's most open countries] 6 November 2015, ''The Jerusalem Post''</ref> During an event held for the annual community rights day at the Knesset, Netanyahu said that he was "asked to come here in the middle of my busy schedule to say one thing to the male and female members of the LGBT community: We must be guided by the conviction that every person is created in the image of God."<ref>[https://www.knesset.gov.il/spokesman/eng/PR_eng.asp?PRID=11963 "Knesset marks Gay Community Rights Day; PM Netanyahu: 'We must be guided by the conviction that every person is created in the imago dei{{'"}}] Publicized: 23 February 2016, Knesset Press Releases</ref> However, some of his coalition government's party members opposed same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-709331/amp|title= Israel's MKs surveyed on gay marriage|date=14 June 2022|work=The Jerusalem Post|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220614023228/https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-709331/amp}}</ref>

=== Ethiopian Jewish integration === thumb|upright|Netanyahu at a memorial service of Ethiopian Israeli immigrants, in honor of their friends who died on their way to Israel

In 2015, after Ethiopian Jewish protests against police brutality, Netanyahu said: "We will bring a comprehensive plan to the government to assist you in every way. There is no room for racism and discrimination in our society, none ... We will turn racism into something contemptible and despicable."<ref>{{cite news|first=Judah Ari|last=Gross|date=17 May 2015|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-failed-ethiopian-community-president-says-at-memorial|title=Israel failed Ethiopian community, president says at memorial|work=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

=== African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem === Netanyahu supports the integration of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem into Israeli society, and takes part in celebrations in honor of this community's "exodus" from America to Israel, which occurred in 1967. In 2012, Netanyahu expressed appreciation towards "the cooperative society that is working towards the inclusion of the Hebrew Israelite community in Israeli society at large," and declared that the experience of the community in the land of Israel is "an integral part of the Israeli experience."<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Esensten|date=25 May 2012|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2012-05-25/ty-article/.premium/celebrating-their-modern-day-exodus/0000017f-df16-db5a-a57f-df7e7efd0000|title=African Hebrew Israelites mark their modern day exodus from U.S|work=Haaretz}}</ref>

=== Iran === {{See also|Iran–Israel relations|Nuclear program of Iran}} In a 2007 interview, Netanyahu said "there is only one difference between Nazi Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely that the first entered a worldwide conflict and then sought atomic weapons, while the latter is first seeking atomic weapons and, once it has them, will then start a world war." Netanyahu repeated these remarks at a news conference in 2008.<ref name=Haaretz16042008>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/975574.html |title=Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel |work=Haaretz |date=16 April 2008 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416053833/http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-netanyahu-says-9-11-terror-attacks-good-for-israel-1.244044 |archive-date= 16 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This was similar to earlier remarks that "it's 1938, and Iran is Germany, and Iran is racing to arm itself with atomic bombs".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/787766.html |first=Peter |last=Hirschberg |title=Netanyahu: It's 1938 and Iran is Germany; Ahmadinejad is preparing another Holocaust |work=Haaretz |date=14 November 2006 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407122943/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-it-s-1938-and-iran-is-germany-ahmadinejad-is-preparing-another-holocaust-1.205137 |archive-date= 7 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2009, after being asked to be prime minister, Netanyahu described Iran as the greatest threat Israel has ever faced: "Iran is seeking to obtain a nuclear weapon and constitutes the gravest threat to our existence since the war of independence."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Byers |first1=David |last2=Hider |first2=James |date=20 February 2009 |title=Binyamin Netanyahu targets Iran after he is appointed Prime Minister |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/binyamin-netanyahu-targets-iran-after-he-is-appointed-prime-minister-62vgfg7fvg3?region=global |access-date=25 April 2025 |work=The Times |location=London}}</ref> Speaking before the UN in New York in September 2009, Netanyahu expressed a different opinion to Iranian president Ahmadinejad's speech at the forum, saying those who believe Tehran is a threat only to Israel are wrong. "The Iranian regime", he said, "is motivated by fanaticism ... They want to see us go back to medieval times. The struggle against Iran pits civilization against barbarism. This Iranian regime is fueled by extreme fundamentalism."<ref name=un-1/><ref name=un-2/> "By focusing solely on Iran", columnist Yossi Melman speculated that Netanyahu's foreign policy, "... took the Palestinian issue off the world agenda." After days of shelling from the Iranian-funded Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Melman asked, "Is it worth initiating a crisis with Iran? Will the Israeli public be able to cope with Iran's response?"<ref name="Tab 15Mar2012">{{cite news |url=http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/94134/under-fire/ |title=Under Fire |first=Yossi |last=Melman |date=15 March 2012 |newspaper=Tablet |access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> According to Uzi Eilam, Netanyahu is using the threat of atomic Iran as a means of reaching his goals. He said: "Netanyahu is using the Iranian threat to achieve ... political objectives." He said: "These declarations are unnecessarily scaring Israel's citizens, given Israel is not party to the negotiations to determine whether Iran will or will not dismantle its nuclear program."<ref name="Ynet">{{cite news|last1=Bergman|first1=Ronen|author-link=Ronen Bergman|title=Ex-atomic agency chief: Netanyahu using scare tactics on Iran nuclear program|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4517536,00.html |work=Ynet|date=5 August 2014 |access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Prime Minister and Defense Minister at Weaponry Display.jpg|thumb|left|Standing with Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, Netanyahu holds an Iranian instruction manual for the anti-ship missile captured in Victoria Affair, March 2011.]] By 2012, Netanyahu was reported to have formed a close, confidential relationship with Defense Minister Ehud Barak as the two considered possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/world/middleeast/netanyahu-and-barak-bond-over-israels-iran-crisis.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=all |title=2 Israeli Leaders Make the Iran Issue Their Own |last=Bonner |first=Ethan |newspaper=The New York Times |date=28 March 2012 |access-date=28 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/R42443.pdf |title=Israel: Possible Strike Against Iran's Nuclear Facilities |publisher=Congressional Research Service |date=28 September 2012 |access-date=2 October 2012}}</ref> following Israel's established Begin Doctrine. The pair were accused of acting on "messianic" impulses by Yuval Diskin, former head of the Shin Bet, who said their warmongering rhetoric appealed to "the idiots within the Israeli public".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-intelligence-chief-diskin-says-netanyahu-barak-not-fit-to-lead-israel-and-wrong-on-iran/ |title= Netanyahu, Barak 'not fit to lead Israel' and wrong on Iran |last= Shmulovich |first= Michael |date= 28 April 2012 |newspaper= The Times of Israel |access-date=29 April 2012 }}</ref> Diskin was supported by former Mossad chief Meir Dagan,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/olmert-opposes-iran-strike/ |title=Olmert opposes strike on Iranian nuclear program |date=25 April 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Times of Israel |access-date=30 April 2012 |quote=Meir Dagan, Israel's ex-Mossad chief, told the station he supported Diskin. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919025443/http://www.timesofisrael.com/olmert-opposes-iran-strike/ |archive-date=19 September 2010 }}</ref> who had said an attack on Iran was "the stupidest thing I have ever heard".<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/former-mossad-chief-israel-air-strike-on-iran-stupidest-thing-i-have-ever-heard-1.360367 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110510002812/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/former-mossad-chief-israel-air-strike-on-iran-stupidest-thing-i-have-ever-heard-1.360367 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 10 May 2011 |title= Former Mossad chief: Israel air strike on Iran 'stupidest thing I have ever heard' |first= Yossi|last=Melman |date= 7 May 2011 |newspaper= Haaretz |access-date=28 April 2012 }}</ref>

Early in 2012, Netanyahu used the opening ceremony for Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day to warn against the dangers of an Iranian nuclear bomb, saying he was following the example of Jewish leaders during World War II who struggled to raise the alarm about the Nazis' genocidal intentions.<ref name = "SaSe 18Apr2012">{{cite news |url= http://www.timesofisrael.com/warning-of-iranian-threat-is-the-best-way-to-honor-holocaust-victims/ |title= PM: 'Warning of Iranian threat is best way to honor Holocaust victims' |last= Ser |first= Sam |date= 18 April 2012 |newspaper= The Times of Israel |access-date=18 April 2012 }}</ref> Israeli academic Avner Cohen accused Netanyahu of showing "contempt" for the Holocaust by putting it to "political use",<ref name="AC 19Mar2012">{{cite news |url= https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/netanyahu-s-contempt-for-the-holocaust-1.419462 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120319071639/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/netanyahu-s-contempt-for-the-holocaust-1.419462 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 19 March 2012 |title= Netanyahu's contempt for the Holocaust |author= Avner Cohen |author-link= Avner Cohen |date= 19 March 2012 |newspaper= Haaretz |access-date=31 March 2012 }}</ref> and former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami similarly condemned Netanyahu's "vulgar manipulation of the memory of the Holocaust".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/iran-s-nuclear-grass-eaters |title= Iran's Nuclear Grass Eaters |author= Shlomo Ben-Ami |date= 4 April 2012 |publisher= Project Syndicate |access-date=5 April 2012 }}</ref> Immediately after the 2012 Burgas bus bombing, Netanyahu confirmed it had been undertaken in coordination with Iran.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Hezbollah, directed by Iran, carried out Burgas terror attack |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-hezbollah-directed-by-iran-carried-out-burgas-terror-attack/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |date=19 July 2012 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> [[File:Demonstrations and protests against United States recognition of Jerusalem in Tehran 032.jpg|thumb|Protest against U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, Tehran, 11 December 2017]] Netanyahu opined during a July meeting that "all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian programme by one iota".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/30-Jul-2012/iran-unmoved-by-curbs-says-netanyahu|newspaper=The Nation|location=Pakistan|date=30 July 2012|title=Iran unmoved by curbs, says Netanyahu|access-date=30 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927193049/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/30-Jul-2012/iran-unmoved-by-curbs-says-netanyahu|archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> In September 2012, Netanyahu gave a speech to the UN General Assembly in which he set forward a "red line" of 90% uranium enrichment, stating that if Iran were to reach this level, it would become an intolerable risk for Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Red Line is when Iran Reaches 90% of Enriched Uranium |first=Gil |last=Ronen |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/160353 |publisher=Arutz Sheva |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref> Netanyahu used a cartoon graphic of a bomb to illustrate his point, indicating three stages of uranium enrichment, saying that Iran had already completed the first stage, and stating that "By next spring, at most by next summer at current enrichment rates, [Iran] will have finished the medium enrichment and move on to the final stage. From there, it's only a few months, possibly a few weeks before they get enough enriched uranium for the first bomb."<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 June 2021|title=Report: Mossad was less alarmed than Israel premier on Iran|date=23 February 2015 |url=https://apnews.com/article/d2cf525e85f6492c8dc07c2cbabe1913|via=AP News}}</ref> At the time, according to cables leaked in 2015, Mossad's assessment was that Iran did not appear ready to enrich uranium to levels required for a nuclear bomb.<ref>Seumas Milne, Ewen MacAskill and Clayton Swisher (23 February 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/leaked-spy-cables-netanyahu-iran-bomb-mossad "Leaked cables show Netanyahu's Iran bomb claim contradicted by Mossad"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref> In an October 2013 interview, Netanyahu praised the history of Persia and said: "If the Iranian regime has nuclear weapons, the Iranian people will never be free of dictatorship and will live in eternal servitude."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.netanyahu.org.il/en/news/686-pm-netanyahu-is-interviewed-for-the-first-time-in-the-persian-language-media|date=3 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007122509/http://netanyahu.org.il/en/news/686-pm-netanyahu-is-interviewed-for-the-first-time-in-the-persian-language-media|archive-date=7 October 2013|title=PM Netanyahu is Interviewed for the First Time in the Persian-language Media |work=Benjamin Netanyahu – The Prime Minister of Israel |publisher=The Prime Minister of Israel Official Website}}</ref>

Netanyahu is an outspoken opponent of the Iran nuclear deal,<ref>{{cite news |last1=DEITCH |first1=IAN |title=Netanyahu opposition to Iran deal not shared by all Israelis |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-4620cc8f50ff4419a110d4548d46647e |work=AP News |date=8 May 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Calamur |first1=Krishnadev |title=In Speech To Congress, Netanyahu Blasts 'A Very Bad Deal' With Iran |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/03/03/390250986/netanyahu-to-outline-iran-threats-in-much-anticipated-speech-to-congress |work=NPR |date=3 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> and praised the United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.<ref>{{cite news |title=WATCH: Netanyahu praises Trump for withdrawing from Iran nuclear deal |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-netanyahu-praises-trump-for-withdrawing-from-iran-nuclear-deal |work=PBS News |date=8 May 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli PM Netanyahu hails President Trump's move on Iran's nuclear deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41617492 |work=BBC News |date=13 October 2017}}</ref>

The U.S. 2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike, which killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was praised by Netanyahu, saying Trump had acted "swiftly, forcefully and decisively".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/03/a-declaration-of-war-and-an-escalation-the-world-reacts-to-soleimani-killing |title=Qassem Soleimani: Iranians mourn as world reacts to death of Iran's top military official |publisher=Euronews |date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103083046/https://www.euronews.com/2020/01/03/a-declaration-of-war-and-an-escalation-the-world-reacts-to-soleimani-killing |archive-date=3 January 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2025, Netanyahu authorized airstrikes against Iran, marking the beginning of the Twelve-Day War.<ref name="unprecedented" /> Netanyahu stated the goal of the operation was to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities, which he described as a "clear and present danger to Israel's very survival.".<ref>{{Cite web |title="A clear and present danger to Israel's very survival" |url=https://wng.org/opinions/a-clear-and-present-danger-to-israels-very-survival-1749787679 |access-date=19 June 2025 |website=WORLD |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Martina |first1=Michael |last2=Jackson |first2=Katharine |date=15 June 2025 |title=Netanyahu says regime change in Iran could be result of Israel's attacks |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-says-regime-change-iran-could-be-result-israels-attacks-2025-06-15/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Freedland |first=Jonathan |date=13 June 2025 |title=Netanyahu attacked Iran to avert an 'existential threat'. He may have made it worse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/13/benjamin-netanyahu-attack-iran-israel-us-nuclear |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2025 |title=Iran's threat to global security will persist until regime falls, congressman says {{!}} Fox Business Video |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6374353779112 |access-date=19 June 2025 |website=Fox Business |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2026, Netanyahu authorized joint airstrikes against Iran in coordination with United States President Donald Trump, assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and beginning the 2026 Iran war.<ref>{{#invoke:cite |news |first=Tal |last=Shalev |date=28 February 2026 |title=Israel names operation against Iran "Roaring Lion" |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-attack-02-28-26-hnk-intl?post-id=cmm60zpmz001v3b6pkd1t046n |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite |news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=28 February 2026 |title=IDF says 200 jets involved in Air Force's largest-ever attack sortie |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-200-jets-involved-in-air-forces-largest-ever-attack-sortie/ |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> He framed both military campaigns as opportunities for regime change in Iran, aligning with exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's call for a national uprising.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6y__alEYl8 |title=Netanyahu tells people of Iran: "This is your opportunity to stand up" |date=13 June 2025 |last=CBS News |access-date=19 June 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=J. N. S. |date=17 June 2025 |title=Iranian crown prince urges uprising against 'collapsing' regime |url=https://www.jns.org/iranian-crown-prince-urges-uprising-against-collapsing-regime/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2025 |title=Netanyahu suggests killing Iran's supreme leader would 'end conflict' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3314665/netanyahu-suggests-killing-irans-supreme-leader-would-end-conflict |access-date=19 June 2025 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

=== Bank of China terror financing case === In 2013, Netanyahu found himself caught between conflicting commitments made to the family of American terror victim Daniel Wultz and the Chinese government. Although Netanyahu was reported to have promised U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen that Israel would cooperate in the terror-financing case against Bank of China in the U.S. District Court, the prime minister reportedly made a conflicting promise to China.<ref name=slate>{{cite magazine|last=Loeffler|first=James| url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/02/wultz_vs_bank_of_china_daniel_wultz_parents_attempt_to_use_domestic_courts.html | title=Uncivil Damages: American victims of terrorism are suing a Chinese bank. Israel is trying to stop them |magazine=Slate |location=New York |date=13 February 2014 |access-date=13 February 2014}}</ref> Attorney David Boies, lead counsel for the Wultz family, told ''The Wall Street Journal'', "While we are respectful of China's interests, and of the diplomatic pressure to which Israel has been subjected, those interests and that pressure cannot be permitted to obstruct the ability of American courts to hear critical evidence."<ref name=davidboies>{{cite news |last=Balmer |first=Crispian |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-china-case-idUSL6N0JW2EQ20131217 |title=U.S. court urged to reject Israeli attempt to silence witness |work=Reuters |location=Jerusalem |date=17 December 2014 |access-date=17 December 2014 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103423/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/17/israel-china-case-idUSL6N0JW2EQ20131217 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=arutzsheva>{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170191#.U2bwZK1kE9Y| title=Families Urge PM: Don't Give Into Terror |publisher=Arutz Sheva |location=Miami |date=23 July 2013 |access-date=17 July 2013}}</ref>

In August 2013, Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the House Middle East and South Asia subcommittee said she raised the issue while leading a congressional delegation to Israel, stressing to Israeli officials the importance of them providing the Wultz family what they need for their lawsuit.<ref name=miamiherald>{{cite news|last=Benn |first=Evan |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/22/3580282/weston-family-faces-frustration.html |title=Weston family faces frustration of court fight after grief of terror bombing |work=Miami Herald |location=Miami |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=22 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823013443/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/22/3580282/weston-family-faces-frustration.html |archive-date=23 August 2013 }}</ref> "I am hopeful that we can bring this case to a conclusion that is satisfactory to the family, but we need community support to not waver at this critical time," Ros-Lehtinen said.<ref name=miamiherald/>

=== Defense and security === [[File:Btselem-south israel2.jpg|thumb|Israelis in Ashkelon run for shelter following a missile alert during Operation Protective Edge]] In 2011, Netanyahu arranged for 1000 Hamas and Fatah prisoners to be swapped for Gilad Shalit, including terrorists with "blood on their hands".<ref>{{cite news |title=Hamas: Israel Crossed its Own Red Lines |first=Gabe |last=Kahn |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/148897 |publisher=Arutz Sheva |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> Israeli officials estimate that 60% of those released "resume terrorism attacks".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gilad Shalit Release: Israel's Joy Tempered by Memories of an Intifadeh |first=Karl |last=Vick |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097192,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018173731/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097192,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 October 2011 |newspaper=Time |date=18 October 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref>

In 2011, Israeli General Staff concluded that the armed forces cannot maintain battle readiness under Netanyahu's proposed cuts.<ref>{{cite news|first=Amos|last=Harel|author-link=Amos Harel|url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-battle-readiness-to-suffer-if-budget-cut-senior-officers-warn-1.389238?localLinksEnabled=false|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121034418/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-battle-readiness-to-suffer-if-budget-cut-senior-officers-warn-1.389238?localLinksEnabled=false|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2013|title=IDF battle readiness to suffer if budget cut, senior officers warn|work=Haaretz|date=11 October 2011}}</ref> Netanyahu decided to cut social programs instead and promised to increase the defense budget by six percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu decides not to cut Israel's defense budget in 2012 |first=Moti |last=Bassok |url=https://www.haaretz.com/business/netanyahu-decides-not-to-cut-israel-s-defense-budget-in-2012-1.403639 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009125951/http://www.haaretz.com/business/netanyahu-decides-not-to-cut-israel-s-defense-budget-in-2012-1.403639 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 October 2013 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=26 December 2011 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israel to increase defence budget by $700m |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/20121961921721933.html |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=9 January 2012 |access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> The Israeli military still fell NIS 3.7 million short from its projected budget, which could damage war capabilities.<ref>Harel, Amos. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130924101553/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-to-ground-warplanes-freeze-iron-dome-production-over-budget-woes-1.412441?localLinksEnabled=false "IDF to ground warplanes, freeze Iron Dome production over budget woes"]. ''Haaretz''. 12 February 2012.</ref> According to a U.S. State Department representative in 2011, under Netanyahu and Obama, Israel and the United States have enjoyed unprecedented security cooperation.<ref>Shapiro, Andrew J. [https://2009-2017.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/176684.htm "Ensuring Israel's Qualitative Military Edge"]. U.S. State Department, 4 November 2011.</ref>

Under Netanyahu's leadership, the Israeli National Security Council has seen an expanded role in foreign policy planning and decision-making.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/inside-israels-white-house-how-netanyahu-runs-the-country/|title=Inside Israel's White House: How Netanyahu runs the country|author=Haviv Rettig Gur|date=6 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>

During the Gaza war he called for Israel to assume "overall security responsibility" over the Gaza Strip, saying "we've seen what happens when we don't have it [...] what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn't imagine".<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2023 |title=Israel fights Hamas in 'depths' of Gaza City and foresees control of enclave's security after war |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-7-2023-6e1425d218de6a73f8a51e4c036cfd39 |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu says Israel will have 'overall security' role in Gaza for 'indefinite period' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israel-hamas-war-netanyahu-says-israel-will-have-overall-security-role-in-gaza-for-indefinite-period-13002439 |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=Sky News}}</ref>

===Illegal immigration=== In his 1995 book ''Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism'', Netanyahu argued that tightening immigration laws in the West is the most effective method to combat terrorism. "This era of immigration free-for-all should be brought to an end".<ref name="fightingterroris00neta-142"/>

In 2012, the Netanyahu government passed the "Prevention of Infiltration Law", which mandated automatic detention of all people, including asylum-seekers, who enter Israel without permission. Amnesty International called it "an affront to international law".<ref>{{cite web |date=8 October 2012 |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/28/israel-asylum-seekers-blocked-border |title=Israel: Asylum Seekers Blocked at Border |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 January 2012 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/new-israeli-detention-law-violates-asylum-seekers-rights-2012-01-10 |title=Israel: New detention law violates rights of asylum-seekers |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=16 September 2014 |archive-date=22 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822042351/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/new-israeli-detention-law-violates-asylum-seekers-rights-2012-01-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Between 2009 and 2013, approximately 60,000 people crossed into Israel from various African countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel to jail illegal migrants for up to three years |first=Allyn |last=Fisher-Ilan |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-immigrants-idUKBRE8520DX20120603 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062917/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-immigrants-idUKBRE8520DX20120603 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2016 |publisher=Reuters |date=3 June 2012 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> Netanyahu said that "this phenomenon is very grave and threatens the social fabric of society, our national security and our national identity."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/20/israel-netanyahu-african-immigrants-jewish|title=Israel PM: illegal African immigrants threaten identity of Jewish state|work=The Guardian|date=20 May 2012|first=Harriet|last=Sherwood}}</ref> Many migrants are held in detention camps in the Negev desert.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10743910/We-are-prisoners-here-say-migrants-at-Israels-desert-detention-camp.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10743910/We-are-prisoners-here-say-migrants-at-Israels-desert-detention-camp.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='We are prisoners here', say migrants at Israel's desert detention camp|first=Robert|last=Tait|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=4 April 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> When the Supreme Court of Israel declared the "Prevention of Infiltration Law" illegal for permitting immediate and indefinite detention of asylum seekers from Africa, Netanyahu requested legislation to work around the Supreme Court ruling.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.620115|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527151421/http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.620115|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2015|title=Jewish refugee organization slams Netanyahu on asylum seekers|work=Haaretz|date=10 October 2014}}</ref>

Netanyahu is critical of what he sees as the overly open immigration policy of EU nations. Netanyahu has urged the leaders of Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland to close their borders to illegal immigration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-overheard-comments-netanyahu-lashes-eus-crazy-policy-on-israel|title=In hot mic comments, Netanyahu lashes EU's 'crazy' policy on Israel|last=Ahren|first=Raphael|date=19 July 2017|work=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

== Relations with foreign leaders == [[File:Putin-Netanyahu-Moscow Victory Day Parade 09-05-2018.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the 2018 Moscow Victory Day Parade. The two leaders have had a close relationship.]] Serving as prime minister in three nonconsecutive periods since the 1990s,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heller |first1=Aron |date=17 July 2019 |title=Netanyahu makes history as Israel's longest-serving leader |url=https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717075053/https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |access-date=17 July 2019 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Dan |date=18 July 2019 |title=Bruised but driven, Netanyahu becomes Israel's longest-serving PM |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718133059/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV |archive-date=18 July 2019 |access-date=18 July 2019 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> he developed close relationships with foreign leaders. Netanyahu has a close relationship with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, their having known each other for decades due to the privileged relationship between the Likud Party and the EPP, the European People's Party. Orban particularly admired Netanyahu while he was working as finance minister, and received advice from him while Netanyahu was Finance Minister of Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=44027|title=Hungarian PM: We share the same security concerns as Israel|date=21 July 2017|work=Israel Hayom}}</ref>

Netanyahu has been noted for his close and friendly relationship with former-late Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.<ref name="Haaretz20110614">{{cite news|first=Akiva|last=Eldar|date=14 June 2011|url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/netanyahu-has-joined-his-buddy-berlusconi-in-an-alliance-of-rejects-1.367604|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616210559/http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/netanyahu-has-joined-his-buddy-berlusconi-in-an-alliance-of-rejects-1.367604|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2011|title=Netanyahu has joined his buddy Berlusconi in an alliance of rejects|work=Haaretz}}</ref> Netanyahu has said of Berlusconi: "We are lucky that there is a leader such as yourself."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3842871,00.html|title=Netanyahu to Berlusconi: Israel lucky to have you as a friend|first=Aviad|last=Glickman|date=2 January 2010|work=Ynet}}</ref> Netanyahu has described Berlusconi as "one of the greatest friends".<ref name="Haaretz20110614"/><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7133042/Berlusconi-says-Israel-should-be-an-EU-member.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7133042/Berlusconi-says-Israel-should-be-an-EU-member.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Berlusconi says Israel should be an EU member|work=The Telegraph|date=2 February 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Netanyahu and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi developed a close relationship and ties between India and Israel increased during their rule.<ref>{{cite news |title=To India's Modi, Netanyahu remains a 'dear friend' |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/to-indias-modi-netanyahu-remains-a-dear-friend-609095 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=26 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India takes strong pro-Israel stance under Modi in a departure from the past |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/31/india-pro-israel-narendra-modi-bjp-government |work=The Guardian |date=31 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India's Mideast rethink: From a Palestine stamp to a 'Modi-Bibi bromance' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/18/india-israel-modi-netanyahu-relations/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=18 November 2023}}</ref>

Netanyahu had a warm relationship and "personal friendship" with Russian president Vladimir Putin.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Beast|first=Noga|last=Tarnopolsky|title=With Help From Putin, Netanyahu Uses a Soldier's Remains to Boost His Election Chances|date=4 April 2019|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/with-help-from-putin-netanyahu-uses-a-soldiers-remains-to-boost-his-election-chances}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Al-Monitor|date=4 April 2019|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/04/russia-israel-syria-putin-netanyahu.html|title=Putin, Netanyahu break ground on deeper Russia-Israel engagement}}</ref> In his 2022 book, Netanyahu wrote positively about Putin and describes him as "smart, sophisticated and focused on one goal – returning Russia to its historical greatness".<ref name="Netanyahu Putin Kuleba">{{cite news |title=Ukraine's FM criticizes Israeli politicians who boasted about friendships with Putin |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/10/25/ukraine-russia-israel-netanyahu-putin-lapid-kuleba |work=Axios |date=25 October 2022}}</ref> Their relationship has been strained since the start of the Gaza war.<ref>{{cite news|title=Netanyahu tells Putin: Your cooperation with Iran is dangerous |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-777415 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=10 December 2023}}</ref> [[File:Budapeszt Spotkanie premierów państw Grupy Wyszehradzkiej (35181214174).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with Viktor Orbán and other V4 leaders at the V4-Israel summit in Budapest, Hungary on 19 July 2017]] [[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi on January 14, 2018 (4).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India on 14 January 2018. The two leaders have had a close relationship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Expanded Israel-India ties start taking shape, after the Netanyahu-Modi bromance |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/expanded-israel-india-ties-start-taking-shape-after-the-netanyahu-modi-bromance/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2021}}</ref>]]In early 2018, the Polish parliament adopted a new Polish law criminalizing suggestions that Poles were collectively complicit in Holocaust-related or other war crimes that had been committed during World War II by the Axis powers.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/27/it-could-soon-be-a-crime-to-blame-poland-for-nazi-atrocities-and-israel-is-appalled/ Israel and Poland try to tamp down tensions after Poland's 'death camp' law sparks Israeli outrage], Washington Post, 28 January 2018</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-poland/israel-and-poland-clash-over-proposed-holocaust-law-idUSKBN1FH0S3|title=Israel and Poland clash over proposed Holocaust law|publisher=Reuters|date=28 January 2018|first1=Jeffrey|last1=Heller|first2=Marcin|last2=Goettig|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Later that year at the Munich Security Conference, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said "it is not going to be seen as criminal to say that there were Polish perpetrators, as there were Jewish perpetrators ... not only German perpetrators" implicated in the Jewish Holocaust.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.securityconference.de/en/media-library/munich-security-conference-2018/video/statements-by-mateusz-morawiecki-and-sebastian-kurz/|title=Statements by Mateusz Morawiecki and Sebastian Kurz|website=www.securityconference.de|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319082112/https://www.securityconference.de/en/media-library/munich-security-conference-2018/video/statements-by-mateusz-morawiecki-and-sebastian-kurz/|archive-date=19 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Netanyahu called his Polish counterpart's comment "outrageous" for saying that Jews had been among the Holocaust's perpetrators.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/benjamin-netanyahu-mateusz-morawiecki-jews-perpetrators-holocaust-munich-security-conference-a8216421.html|title=Benjamin Netanyahu attacks Polish PM for saying Jews were among perpetrators of the Holocaust|work=The Independent|first=Maya|last=Oppenheim|date=18 February 2018|access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> The resulting crisis in Israel–Poland relations was resolved in late June that year when the two prime ministers issued a joint communiqué endorsing research into the Jewish Holocaust and condemning the misnomer "Polish concentration camps".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/06/27/world/europe/ap-eu-poland-holocaust-law-the-latest.html|title=The Latest: Party Head: Israel Confirms Polish View on Nazis |work=The New York Times |access-date=7 July 2018}}</ref> [[File:Mileiprimerministroisrael.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with Argentine president Javier Milei in Jerusalem, June 2025]] According to Efraim Zuroff of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, during the visit of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Jerusalem, Netanyahu failed to publicly address Ukraine's official policy of rehabilitating local Nazi collaborators like UPA leader Roman Shukhevych, who had participated in the murder of Jews.<ref>{{cite news |title=Holocaust scholars worry that memory is a victim of Israel's warming ties with Eastern Europe |url=https://www.jta.org/2019/01/29/israel/holocaust-scholars-worry-that-memory-is-a-victim-of-israels-warming-ties-with-eastern-europe |publisher=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

Netanyahu had developed a close relationship with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro following Bolsonaro's 2018 election.<ref>{{cite news|via=AP News|title=Netanyahu embraces Brazil's far-right Bolsonaro in Israel|date=31 March 2019|url=https://apnews.com/article/425afad82bd342fc931fdaf5bec7d852|first=Ilan|last=Ben Zion}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gilban|first=Marcu|work=The Times of Israel|date=3 January 2019|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/brazil-applauds-netanyahu-bolsonaro-bromance-new-ties-with-jewish-state/|title=Brazil applauds Netanyahu-Bolsonaro bromance, new ties with Jewish states}}</ref> Netanyahu has also developed a good relationship with Argentinian president Javier Milei, having called him a "great friend of the Jewish State", shortly after Milei started his presidential tenure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazar |first=Berman |date=7 February 2024 |title=Netanyahu meets Argentina's new leader Milei, 'a great friend' of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-meets-argentinas-new-leader-milei-a-great-friend-of-israel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728022007/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-meets-argentinas-new-leader-milei-a-great-friend-of-israel/ |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

Since 2023, Netanyahu and Chinese president Xi Jinping have been engaged in diplomacy, arising due to strained ties between the US and Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2023 |title=With Israeli-US ties troubled, China says Xi 'looking forward' to Netanyahu visit |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-israeli-us-ties-troubled-china-says-xi-looking-forward-to-netanyahu-visit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728052032/https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-israeli-us-ties-troubled-china-says-xi-looking-forward-to-netanyahu-visit/ |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref> The diplomatic situation has been made complicated due to the Gaza war, where China has remained neutral.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tang |first=Didi |date=15 October 2023 |title=Israel-Hamas war upends China's ambitions in the Middle East but may serve Beijing in the end |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-israel-hamas-mideast-war-arab-countries-33d78c0ad6f7cb116d87417ff81ed727 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108140511/https://apnews.com/article/china-israel-hamas-mideast-war-arab-countries-33d78c0ad6f7cb116d87417ff81ed727 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have tense relations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: Erdogan's 'anti-Semitic' Jibe Desecrates Memory of Holocaust |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2014-07-20/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-erdogans-remarks-anti-semitic/0000017f-dc56-db22-a17f-fcf7222b0000 |work=Haaretz |date=20 July 2019|first=Barak|last=Ravid}}</ref> In March 2019, after being denounced by Turkey as a racist for saying that Israel was the nation-state of the Jewish people only, Netanyahu called Erdoğan a dictator and mocked him for imprisoning journalists in a tweet.<ref name="AP Erdogan">{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/2b181366a2204e2f88547c9f747a8997 |title=Erdogan calls Netanyahu 'thief' and 'tyrant' in latest spat |publisher=Associated Press |date=13 March 2019}}</ref> In response, Erdoğan called Netanyahu as "the thief who heads Israel", referencing the ongoing corruption scandals against Netanyahu. In the same speech, Erdoğan further escalated the spat by addressing to Netanyahu directly, saying, "you are a tyrant. You are a tyrant who slaughters 7-year-old Palestinian kids",<ref name="AP Erdogan"/> and further in April 2018, calling Israel "terror state" and Netanyahu "terrorist".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/erdogan-calls-netanyahu-terrorist-israel-terrorist-state-180401140938404.html |title=Erdogan Calls Netanyahu "terrorist", Israel "Terrorist State" |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=1 April 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Netanyahu tweeted that "Erdoğan is among Hamas's biggest supporters and there is no doubt that he well understands terrorism and slaughter."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/246021 |title=Israel expels Turkish consul |website=Arutz Sheva |date=15 May 2018 |access-date=23 November 2019 |author1=Gary Willig |author2=Nitzan Keidar}}</ref> Netanyahu condemned the 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria and warned against ethnic cleansing of Kurds by Turkey and its proxies.<ref name=Haaretz>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/netanyahu-warns-against-turkey-s-ethnic-cleansing-of-brave-kurds-vows-to-assist-1.7964330 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010143127/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/netanyahu-warns-against-turkey-s-ethnic-cleansing-of-brave-kurds-vows-to-assist-1.7964330 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2019 |title=Netanyahu Warns Against Turkey's Ethnic Cleansing of 'Gallant Kurds'; Vows to Assist |work=Haaretz |date=10 October 2019}}</ref>

=== US leaders === Netanyahu has close ties with the congressional leadership of the U.S. Republican Party and with its 2012 presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. He and Romney first became acquainted when both worked at the Boston Consulting Group in the mid-1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barbaro |first=Michael |date=8 April 2012 |title=A Friendship Dating to 1976 Resonates in 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-benjamin-netanyahu-are-old-friends.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408215016/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-benjamin-netanyahu-are-old-friends.html |archive-date=8 April 2012 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

During the 2011 G-20 Cannes summit, then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy was overheard saying to then-U.S. president Barack Obama, "I cannot bear Netanyahu, he's a liar", and Obama reportedly responded, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day."<ref name="YNet Overheard">{{cite news |date=7 November 2011 |title=Report: Sarkozy calls Netanyahu 'liar' |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4145266,00.html |work=Ynet}}</ref><ref name="CBS Fed Up">{{cite news |last=Reals |first=Tucker |date=8 November 2011 |title=Sarkozy to Obama: I'm fed up with Netanyahu |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sarkozy-to-obama-im-fed-up-with-netanyahu/ |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> [[File:Isaac Herzog at Ben Gurion Airport, October 2023 (ABG 4491).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with Joe Biden and Isaac Herzog, 18 October 2023]] In October 2014, author Jeffrey Goldberg related a conversation in which Goldberg said that a senior official of the Obama administration called Netanyahu a "chickenshit" after Netanyahu accused U.S. president Barack Obama of "acting contrary to American values". Goldberg went on to say that Netanyahu and his cabinet were largely to blame for the tensions between the Netanyahu and Obama governments.<ref name="crisis" /> Secretary of State John Kerry phoned Netanyahu to clarify that "such statements are disgraceful, unacceptable and damaging" and "do not reflect the position of the United States".<ref>{{cite news |date=31 October 2014 |title=Kerry phones Netanyahu to apologize over 'chickenshit' slur |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Kerry-phones-Netanyahu-to-apologize-over-chickenshit-slur-380442 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Netanyahu responded by saying "I'm being attacked because of my determination to defend Israel's interests. The safety of Israel is not important to those who attack me anonymously and personally."<ref>{{cite news |date=29 October 2014 |title=Netanyahu: I'm being attacked because of my determination to defend Israel's interests |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-Im-being-attacked-because-of-my-determination-to-defend-Israels-interests-380142 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Because of evident rifts between Netanyahu and members of the Obama administration, observers have characterized the relationship as having reached a crisis level by October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keinon |first=Herb |author-link=Herb Keinon |date=27 October 2014 |title=Israelis more likely to blame Obama, not Benjamin Netanyahu, for 'crisis' in ties with US |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Analysis-Israelis-more-likely-to-blame-Obama-not-Netanyahu-for-crisis-in-ties-with-US-379911 |access-date=28 January 2015 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref><ref name="crisis" /> The relationship between Netanyahu and the Obama administration had become problematic enough that Goldberg reported that his conversations with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials indicated that Israel would wait until after the 2016 presidential election before attempting to repair the relationship with the White House. According to Alon Pinkas, "Netanyahu's self-righteousness that this resolution is going to be changed or reversed by Trump is totally unfounded."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eglash |first1=Ruth |date=25 December 2016 |title=Netanyahu summons U.S. envoy over anti-settlement resolution adopted by U.N. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/netanyahu-reprimands-nations-that-supported-un-settlement-resolution/2016/12/25/0519946f-3cdc-4e0c-96b3-a9926750dae0_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_israelun-756am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory |access-date=25 December 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

On 23 December 2016, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an end to Israeli settlements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cortellessa |first=Eric |date=23 December 2016 |title=Choosing not to veto, Obama lets anti-settlement resolution pass at UN Security Council |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223224737/http://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/ |archive-date=23 December 2016 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en}}</ref> In a departure from longstanding American policy, the U.S., under the Obama administration, abstained from the vote and did not exercise its veto power. At the behest of the Netanyahu government, President-elect Trump attempted to intercede by publicly advocating for the resolution to be vetoed, as well as successfully persuading Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to temporarily withdraw it from consideration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |date=23 December 2016 |title=For Obama and Netanyahu, a Final Clash After Years of Conflict |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/23/world/middleeast/israel-benjamin-netanyahu-barack-obama.html?src=me |access-date=25 December 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> The resolution was then "proposed again by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela" – and passed 14 to 0. Netanyahu's office alleged that "the Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the UN, it colluded with it behind the scenes", adding: "Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and with all our friends in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution."<ref>{{cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=Egypt: Trump convinced Sisi to withdraw UN resolution |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/egypt-trump-sisi-resolution-israel-settlements-161223064418355.html |access-date=23 December 2016 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=Egypt delays UN motion on Israel as Trump intervenes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38412079 |access-date=23 December 2016 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=23 December 2016 |title=Israeli settlements: UN Security Council calls for an end |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38421026 |access-date=23 December 2016 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

[[File: President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50346326831).jpg |thumb|left|Netanyahu and Donald Trump during the signing of the Abraham Accords on 15 September 2020]]Netanyahu and U.S. president Donald Trump have known each other for many years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=11 November 2016 |title=Donald Trump invites Benjamin Netanyahu to US after Israeli PM congratulates 'true friend of Israel' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/donald-trump-israel-palestinians-benjamin-netanyahu-invite-meeting-settlements-jerusalem-capital-a7409701.html |work=The Independent}}</ref> Netanyahu had been a friend of Donald Trump's father, Fred, when Netanyahu lived in New York during the 1980s, serving as UN ambassador.<ref name="nymag.com" /> In 2013, Trump made a video endorsing Netanyahu during the Israeli elections saying, "vote for Benjamin – terrific guy, terrific leader, great for Israel".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gur |first=Haviv Rettig |date=2013-01-15 |title=Donald Trump endorses Netanyahu for PM |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/donald-trump-endorses-netanyahu-for-pm/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> In June 2019, Netanyahu officially renamed a settlement in the disputed Golan Heights after Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2019 |title=Golan Heights: Israel unveils 'Trump Heights' settlement |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48656431 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Oren |last1=Liebermann|first2=Michael |last2=Schwartz |first3= Rob |last3=Picheta|date=17 June 2019 |title=Israel announces new Golan Heights settlement named 'Trump Heights' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/17/politics/trump-heights-golan-settlement-us-israel-scli-intl/index.html |work=CNN}}</ref> However, Trump aide Jared Kushner has claimed that in January 2020, Trump became frustrated with Netanyahu's rhetoric regarding annexation of the Jordan Valley, and considered endorsing his political opponent, Benny Gantz.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2022 |title=Trump wanted to endorse Netanyahu's rival ahead of March 2020 election, Kushner says in book |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/08/01/trump-netanyahu-kushner-book-gantz|website=Axios|first=Barak|last=Ravid}}</ref> Following Netanyahu's congratulations for Joe Biden after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the relationship deteriorated, with Trump accusing him of disloyalty and stating Netanyahu had "made a terrible mistake".<ref>{{cite web |date=10 December 2021 |title=Trump accuses Netanyahu of disloyalty: "F*** him" |url=https://www.axios.com/2021/12/10/trump-netanyahu-disloyalty-fuck-him}}</ref> Netanyahu and Trump repaired their relationship in July 2024 amid the lead-up to the 2024 United States presidential election,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gold |first=Michael |date=2024-07-26 |title=After Urging Israel to End War, Trump Says He Has ‘Good Relationship’ With Netanyahu |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/26/us/politics/trump-netanyahu.html |access-date=2026-04-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> in which Netanyahu endorsed Trump.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=David E. |date=2026-04-22 |title=Netanyahu Favors Trump, but He Could Come to Regret It |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/31/netanyahu-favors-trump-but-could-regret-it/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> Netanyahu congratulated Trump's reelection to a second presidential term as "history's greatest comeback,"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saul |first=Jonathan |date=6 November 2024 |title=Israeli government celebrates Trump's election triumph |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/israels-rightist-government-celebrates-trump-claims-victory-2024-11-06/ |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=Reuters}}</ref> and later asserted that Trump was "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House."<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 February 2025 |title=Netanyahu praises Trump’s as Israel’s ‘greatest friend’ to ever be president |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/5134621-netanyahu-praises-trumps-as-israels-greatest-friend-to-ever-be-president/ |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=The Hill}}</ref>

U.S. president Joe Biden, a Democrat, has been friendly with Netanyahu for many years. In November 2011<ref>{{cite web |last=Bernstein |first=Jared |date=18 November 2011 |title=In the Heart of Motor City, Vice President Biden Addresses Yeshiva Beth Yehuda |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/11/18/heart-motor-city-vice-president-biden-addresses-yeshiva-beth-yehuda |access-date=17 March 2013 |work=whitehouse.gov |via=National Archives}}</ref> and in the 2012 U.S. vice presidential debate,<ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 2012 |title=Transcript And Audio: Vice Presidential Debate |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/10/11/162754053/transcript-biden-ryan-vice-presidential-debate |access-date=17 March 2013 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> Biden stated that the relationship has lasted for 39 years. In March 2010, Netanyahu remarked during a joint statement with Biden during his visit Israel that their friendship had started almost three decades prior.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2010 |title=Remarks by Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu in a Joint Statement to the Press |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-vice-president-biden-and-prime-minister-netanyahu-a-joint-statement-press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123233820/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-vice-president-biden-and-prime-minister-netanyahu-a-joint-statement-press |archive-date=23 January 2017 |access-date=17 March 2013 |work=whitehouse.gov |via=National Archives}}</ref> During Spring 2024, the relationship between the two leaders had become strained over Israel's Rafah offensive.<ref>{{cite news |last=Berman |first=Lazar |title=Biden said to call Netanyahu 'a f**king liar' after Israeli troops entered Rafah |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-said-to-call-netanyahu-a-fking-liar-after-israeli-troops-entered-rafah/ |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |date=8 October 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== Family tree === {{tree chart/start|align=center}} {{tree chart | | | | | | | NM |y| SL |NM=Nathan Mileikowsky (1879–1935) ''Writer, Zionist activist'' |SL=Sarah Lurie}} {{tree chart | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.}} {{tree chart | | | TS |y| BN | | EN |y| SS |TS=Tzila Segal (1912–2000) |BN=Benzion Netanyahu (1910–2012) ''Historian'' |EN=Elisha Netanyahu (1912–1986) ''Mathematician'' |SS=Shoshana Shenburg (1923–2022) ''Supreme Court justice''}} {{tree chart | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | |!}} {{tree chart | YN | | BN | | IN | | NN |YN=Yonatan Netanyahu (1946–1976) ''Military Commander'' |BN='''Benjamin Netanyahu''' (1949–) |IN=Iddo Netanyahu (1952–) ''Physician, playwright'' |NN=Nathan Netanyahu (1951–) ''Computer scientist''}} {{tree chart/end}}

=== Marriages and relationships === [[File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - P.M. BENJAMIN NETANYAHU LIGHTING HANUKA CANDLES WITH HIS WIFE AND SONS.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu lighting Hanukkah candles on the first night in the prime minister's office in Jerusalem with his wife, Sara and their sons, Yair and Avner, 1996]] Netanyahu has been married three times and has been involved in multiple extramarital affairs. Netanyahu's first marriage was to Miriam Weizmann, whom he met in Israel. Weizmann lived near Yonatan Netanyahu's apartment in Jerusalem, where Netanyahu was based during his military service. By the time Netanyahu's service was finished, Weizmann had completed her own military service as well as a degree in chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1972, they both left to study in the United States, where she enrolled in Brandeis University, while Netanyahu studied at MIT. They married soon afterward. The couple had one daughter, Noa (born 29 April 1978).<ref name="Haaretz-2009">{{cite news |date=1 October 2009 |title=Mazel Tov Mr. Prime Minister! Netanyahu's first grandson born |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/mazel-tov-mr-prime-minister-netanyahu-s-first-grandson-born-1.6885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806140311/http://www.haaretz.com/news/mazel-tov-mr-prime-minister-netanyahu-s-first-grandson-born-1.6885 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2011 |access-date=16 March 2013 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref><ref name="Miskin-2009">{{cite news |last=Miskin |first=Maayana |date=8 October 2009 |title=Photo Essay: Netanyahu's Grandson Named |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133763 |access-date=16 March 2013 |publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref>

In 1978, while Weizmann was pregnant, Netanyahu met a non-Jewish British student named Fleur Cates at the university library, and began an affair. His marriage ended in divorce soon after Miriam discovered the affair. In 1981, Netanyahu married Cates, and she converted to Judaism.<ref name=star>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/news/1996/06/benjamin-netanyahu|title=Star of Zion|first=David|last=Margolick|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=5 June 1996}}</ref> After moving with Netanyahu to Israel, Cates sued for divorce in 1988.<ref name="star" />

His third wife, Sara Ben-Artzi, was working as a flight attendant on an El Al flight from New York to Israel when they met.<ref name=bio/> She was in the process of completing a master's degree in psychology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/PrimeMinister/Pages/PrimeMinistersWife.aspx|title=Mrs. Sara Netanyahu|publisher=Office of the Prime Minister}}</ref> The couple married in 1991. They have two sons: Yair (born 26 July 1991), a former soldier in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit,<ref>{{cite news |title=Benjamin Netanyahu's son gets new IDF PR job |first=Li-or |last=Averbach |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000637256&fid=1725 |newspaper=Globes |date=10 April 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> and Avner (born 10 October 1994), a national Bible champion, winner of the National Bible Quiz for Youth in Kiryat Shmona, and former soldier in the IDF Combat Intelligence Collection Corps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon |first=Evelyn |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=171175 |title=Netanyahu Jr. wins National Bible Quiz |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=17 March 2010 |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/not-just-news/shine-your-shoes-netanyahus-youngest-son-begins-army-service-383308|title=Shine your shoes! Netanyahu's youngest son begins army service|work=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

In 1993, Netanyahu confessed on live television to having an affair with Ruth Bar, his public relations adviser. He stated that a political rival had planted a secret video camera that recorded him in a sexually compromising position with Bar and that he had been threatened with the release of the tape to the press unless he withdrew from the Likud leadership race. Netanyahu and Sara repaired their marriage, and he was subsequently elected to the leadership of Likud.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Netanyahus: A colourful partnership |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/693517.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=28 March 2000}}</ref> In 1996, the media reported that he had a 20-year friendship with Katherine Price-Mondadori, an Italian-American woman.{{so?|date=August 2025}}<ref>[https://apnews.com/0514d58c98e38d8d7da3baa5bb00ca91 "Who Fired the Prime Minister's Nanny? The Soup Thickens"], by Jack Katzenell, Associated Press, 7 July 1996.</ref>

=== Health === Netanyahu has been suffering from right bundle branch block (RBBB) since around 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/health/article/14422465|title=15 שניות של חסימה בלב: היממה הדרמטית של נתניהו | ישראל היום|date=23 July 2023|website=Israel Hayom |language=he}}</ref> In the first half of 2008, doctors removed a small colon polyp that proved to be benign.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 October 2009 |title=Netanyahu Undergoes Medical Examination |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/171896 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303064701/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/171896 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |access-date=15 October 2009 |publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref> On 22 July 2023, a pacemaker was implanted in his body.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bjmjnatq3 | title=רגע לפני ההצבעה: קוצב לב הושתל הלילה לנתניהו, לוין מילא את מקומו | newspaper=Ynet | date=22 July 2023 | last1=אייכנר | first1=איתמר | last2=אזולאי | first2=מורן | last3=ינקו | first3=אדיר |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/health/article/14419313|title=קוצב הלב שהושתל לנתניהו מיועד ל"מדוכאי חיסון" – והוא איננו בסל הבריאות | ישראל היום|date=14 September 2023|website=Israel Hayom |language=he}}</ref> A hernia was discovered on him in March 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-hamas-war-health-heart-hernia-surgery-8e6f968bb0a0b5947e82c3b2e25ccf50 | title=Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is to undergo hernia surgery |work=Associated Press | date=1 April 2024}}</ref> In December 2024, his prostate was removed following a urinary tract infection caused by an enlargement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldenberg |first=Tia |date=29 December 2024 |title=Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery |url=https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-israel-health-prostate-war-ffa0430d621307d34a673a0428ece945 |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=Associated Press}}</ref>

His personal physician and close friend is the Romanian-born pediatrist Herman Berkovits.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.digi24.ro/stiri/externe/mapamond/sanatatea-premierului-israelian-sta-in-mainile-unui-medic-roman-325112 | title=Sănătatea premierului israelian stă în mâinile unui medic român | date=23 November 2014 |language=ro}}</ref>

Netanyahu was falsely reported as dead in March 2026, and subsequently posted a video mocking the claims, which was verified by Reuters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2026 |title=Netanyahu posts video in response to Iran rumours that he is dead |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-posts-video-response-iran-rumours-that-he-is-dead-2026-03-15/ |access-date=16 March 2026 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref> According to i24NEWS, the rumor was started with a false report by Iranian Tasnim News Agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Joe |date=15 March 2026 |title=Is Benjamin Netanyahu Dead? Fake News Becomes the Loudest Voice on Social Media |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/artc-is-benjamin-netanyahu-dead-fake-news-becomes-the-loudest-voice-on-social-media |access-date=16 March 2026 |website=i24NEWS |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2026, Netanyahu announced that he had been treated for early-stage prostate cancer.<ref>{{cite news|date=24 April 2026|title=Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu says he received treatment for prostate cancer|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/24/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-says-he-received-treatment-for-prostate-cancer|work=Al Jazeera |access-date=24 April 2026 }}</ref> The Israeli Prime Minister's Office disclosed that he had undergone surgery in December 2024, which was not revealed then.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2026-04-24 |title=Netanyahu reveals he quietly underwent treatment for undisclosed prostate cancer |url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-reveals-he-quietly-underwent-treatment-for-undisclosed-prostate-cancer/d5345f65-d042-46c6-bb0b-fe09297ea824 |access-date=2026-04-24 |website=Nine News |language=en}}</ref>

== Honors and awards == === Honors === * {{flag|Brazil}} ** 50px Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross (2018)<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/Netanyahu-in-Brazil-Forming-an-alliance-with-a-superpower-575708| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171320/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/Netanyahu-in-Brazil-Forming-an-alliance-with-a-superpower-575708| archive-date = 29 December 2018| title = Netanyahu in Brazil: Israel is forming an alliance with a superpower - Israel News - Jerusalem Post}}</ref>

=== Awards === * {{flag|Israel}} ** Zeltner Prize (1987) * {{flag|United States}} ** Jabotinsky Prize for Literature and Research (1980) ** Irving Kristol Award (2015)

=== Honorary Doctorate === * {{flag|Israel}} ** Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Bar-Ilan University (1988)

== Authored books == thumb|Video clip about Benjamin Netanyahu by Israel News Company * {{cite book |editor-last1=Netanyahu |editor-first1=Benjamin |editor-mask=1 |title=International Terrorism: Challenge and Response |year=1981 |publisher=Transaction Publishers |isbn=978-0-87855-894-0}} * {{cite book |last1=Netanyahu |first1=Benjamin |author-mask=1 |title=Terrorism: How the West Can Win |year=1987 |publisher=Avon |isbn=978-0-380-70321-0}} * {{cite book |last1=Netanyahu |first1=Benjamin |author-mask=1 |title=Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism |year=1995 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0-374-15492-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/fightingterroris00neta }} * {{cite book |last1=Netanyahu |first1=Benjamin |author-mask=1 |title=A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations |year=1999 |orig-year=1993 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |isbn=978-0-446-52306-6}} * {{cite book |last1=Netanyahu |first1=Benjamin |author-mask=1 |title= Bibi: My Story |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-6680-0844-7 |publisher=Simon and Schuster }}

== See also == * {{anl|Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful People|''Forbes'' list of The World's Most Powerful People}} * List of current heads of state and government * List of heads of the executive by approval rating * List of international prime ministerial trips made by Benjamin Netanyahu * List of Israeli politicians * {{anl|Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu}}

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * Caspit, Ben. ''The Netanyahu Years'' (2017) [https://www.amazon.com/Netanyahu-Years-Ben-Caspit/dp/1250087058/ excerpt] *Medzini, Meron. "Rabin and Hussein: From Enemies at War to Partners in Peace." in ''The Palgrave Handbook of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan'' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019) pp. 435–446. * Anshel Pfeffer (2018). ''Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu'', Basic Books. {{ISBN|978-0-465-09782-1}} ** Jonathan Freedland, "Trump's Chaver in Jerusalem" (review of Anshel Pfeffer, ''Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu'', Basic Books, 2018), ''New York Review of Books'', vol. LXV, no 13 (16 August 2018), pp. 32–34. ** Adam Shatz, "The sea is the same sea" (review of Anshel Pfeffer, ''Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu'', Hurst, May 2018, {{ISBN|978-1-84904-988-7}}), ''London Review of Books'', vol. 40, no. 16 (30 August 2018), pp. 24, 26–28. * Remnick, David, "Hostages: As Benjamin Netanyahu clings to power, his country pays a price", ''The New Yorker'', 22 January 2024, pp. 26–39. "[Netanyahu's] highest priority ... appeared [to be] to shake free of a series of criminal corruption indictments; he had been charged with everything from accepting illegal gifts ... to making a shady deal with a media baron to win favorable coverage. ... Netanyahu reclaimed the one position that provided refuge from prosecution ... At the end of 2022, he forged a hard-right coalition that allowed him to return as Prime Minister. He brought into the fold ... reactionaries [who] endorse the full annexation of the West Bank and have recently called for the expulsion of Gaza's [Palestinian] population. Netanyahu also pushed a wildly contentious 'judiical reform' law [which] perhaps more than half the country ... feared ... would undermine the Supreme Court, the balance of powers, and democracy itself." (pp. 32–33.)

==External links== {{Sister project links |auto=yes|d=yes}} * {{Official website}} * {{MKlink|id=90}} * {{Britannica|409922}} * {{IMDb name|1386592}} * {{C-SPAN|19242}} * [https://www.jpost.com/tags/benjamin-netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu] collected news and commentary at ''The Jerusalem Post'' * [https://www.haaretz.com/ty-tag/benjamin-netanyahu-0000017f-da33-d938-a17f-fe3ba7590000 Benjamin Netanyahu] collected news and commentary at ''Haaretz'' * {{cite episode|title=Shattered Dreams of Peace: The Road From Oslo|series=Frontline|series-link=Frontline (American TV program)|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=27 June 2002|season=20|number=16|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/shattered-dreams-of-peace/|access-date=13 March 2025}} * {{cite episode|title=Netanyahu at War|series=Frontline|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=5 January 2016|season=34|number=1|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/netanyahu-at-war/|access-date=14 March 2025}} * {{cite episode|title=Netanyahu, America & the Road to Gaza|series=Frontline|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=19 December 2023|season=41|number=22|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/netanyahu-america-the-road-to-war-in-gaza/|access-date=13 March 2025}} * {{Cite episode|title=Remaking the Middle East: Israel vs. Iran|series=Frontline|network=PBS|station=WGBH|date=29 July 2025|season=43|number=21|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/remaking-the-middle-east-israel-vs-iran/|access-date=30 July 2025}}

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