Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu (Hebrew: בנימין נתניהו; born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician who has been the Prime Minister of Israel since 2009. He was also the leader of Likud from 1993 to 1997 and again from 2005 until 2019, when he resigned following his party’s loss in that year’s election.

Netanyahu first rose to prominence during his service as a senior officer in Sayeret Matkal, one of the most elite units within the Israeli Defense Forces. Following this he held various political posts including Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Washington DC between 1982 and 1984 before becoming Ambassador to The United Nations between 1984 and 1988. In 1996, Netanyahu became Prime Minister for two consecutive terms but lost power after losing a 1999 snap election against Ehud Barak and subsequently retired from politics shortly thereafter. After returning to office with Likud’s victory over Kadima-led government led by Ehud Olmert in 2008–2009 elections, Netanyahu formed multiple coalition governments which allowed him hold onto power for extended periods despite facing numerous challenges throughout his tenure such as peace negotiations with Palestine or confrontation Iran’s nuclear program . His long term premiership made him Israel’s second longest serving prime minister behind only David Ben Gurion although both were tied on number times holding office making it three each respectively

Netanyahus policies have often been controversial due to their hardline approach towards Palestinians particularly concerning settlements construction projects which have earned criticism domestically as well internationally . Despite these criticisms , however , polls taken by Gallup International Association showed him being consistently rated highest among world leaders while domestic surveys show widespread support among Israelis citizens giving him more than 50 percent approval ratings every time they went into polling booth since 2007 meaning he remains popular figure even after decades spent working public life

Overall Benjamin Netanyahu is considered major figure not just currently active politicians but also entire country itself having served record amount five different cabinet positions four separate occasions along building reputation strong willed crisis management skills thus helping shape state modern day