As He Leaves Office Some See Israels Longest Serving Pm As Mr Security

Benjamin Netanyahu: The Former Commando Who Became King Bibi

As He Leaves Office, Some See Israel's Longest-Serving PM as Mr. Security

October 21, 1949 - Tel Aviv (now Yafo), Israel - Age: 74

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, stepped down from office on June 13, 2021, after 12 years in power. A former commando and intelligence officer, Netanyahu is a controversial figure who has been both praised and criticized for his policies.

Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv in 1949. He joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1967 and served as a commando in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit. He participated in several high-profile operations, including the 1972 Entebbe raid to rescue Israeli hostages from Uganda.

After leaving the IDF, Netanyahu studied economics and political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He returned to Israel in 1978 and worked as a consultant before entering politics in 1988. Netanyahu was elected to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in 1996 and served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999. He returned to power in 2009 and remained in office until 2021.

Netanyahu is a polarizing figure. His supporters praise him as a strong leader who has kept Israel safe from its enemies. His critics accuse him of being divisive and intolerant. Netanyahu has also been criticized for his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has remained unresolved during his tenure.

Despite the controversies, Netanyahu remains a popular figure in Israel. He is widely seen as a strong leader who has made Israel a more secure and prosperous country. His legacy is likely to be debated for many years to come.