Benjamin Netanyahu, who first came into power as prime minister in 1996, has managed to secure a total of five victories in the elections since then. This run has made him the longest-standing leader in the history of Israel, a record that surpasses even that of the founding Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Only a mere 18 months since 2009 has Netanyahu had to step out of his coveted office. His ultra-conservative political ideologies, prominently exemplified by his stance on the Palestinian issue, have had a profound impact on not only the society within Israel but also widely influenced the public’s sentiment.
Despite the enduring influence of Netanyahu, often deemed the ‘Mr. Security’, trustworthy by only about 40% of the Israelis as suggested by recent surveys. His political savvy, however, has allowed him to maintain a firm grip on the title of the man Israel trusts most to safeguard it from its nemeses such as Iran and Hamas. A coin always has two sides, and on the flip side, Netanyahu’s critics describe him as a heartless and impetuous ruler who values his political longevity above the interests of Israel. He is often seen as the key catalyst behind the inhumane war in Gaza.
Despite all controversies, Netanyahu remains the most influential personality in Israel’s political arena and can arguably be counted as one of the most influential in the entire Middle East. Born in the middle of the 20th Century, in Tel Aviv in 1949, Netanyahu spent his teenage years moving between Israel and Philadelphia, where his father was employed as a teacher. The influence of his father, Benzion Netanyahu who, despite being a Polish-born medieval historian, was a militant Zionist advocating for maximalist territorial rights. Interestingly, his father was known to openly critique his son time and again.
At 18, in the year 1967, he returned to his native Israel to serve in the military. His five years of remarkable service in the army included fighting in Lebanon and being a part of the Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s equivalent of the SAS. Netanyahu was accompanied by his brothers, Yonatan and Iddo, whom he shared a close relationship with. While Netanyahu was engaged in studies at MIT in Boston, he founded an anti-terrorism institute, shaping the path that eventually led him into politics.
Netanyahu began his nascent political career in 1982 when he was employed by the Israeli ambassador to the US. He later represented Israel at the United Nations from 1984, marking his climb in the political landscape. He made it to the Knesset, the parliament of Israel, by 1988. A phase of accelerated political progression spanned the next five years, culminating in him becoming the leader of Likud, the mainstream right-wing party of Israel.
Netanyahu’s political crest was reached when he overwhelmingly defeated Shimon Peres to become the Prime Minister in 1996. His first term, filled with turbulence, ended with him losing the 1999 election. Netanyahu went on to serve as the foreign minister and then the finance minister in Ariel Sharon’s administration before abruptly resigning in 2005. His resignation was provoked by Israel’s decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, a decision that did not go well with his political beliefs.
Netanyahu recaptured the position of Prime Minister in 2009. By this time, Gaza was under the control of Hamas, which had assumed power in 2007. Apart from being regarded as a champion of free-market economics and a patron to hi-tech startups, Netanyahu also developed a reputation for attempting to dramatically overhaul Israel’s institutions.
In theory, Netanyahu altered his course on the Palestinian problem in 2009 by advocating for a two-state rule with a ‘demilitarized’ Palestine. However, Netanyahu’s actions consistently undermined this supposed commitment. Intelligence failings, which led to attacks killing 1,195 people and taking another 251 as hostages, dealt a significant blow to Netanyahu’s renowned standing and his policy towards Hamas.
Despite its disastrous reputation, Netanyahu’s relentless conduct of the Gaza war, which according to Palestinian authorities has killed 64,200 people, has internationally dented Israel’s reputation. Suprisingly, the debacle also presented a strategic opportunity to not only dismantle Hamas’ military might but also to severely weaken its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to launch the ’12-day war’ against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Netanyahu seized upon this chance to redraw the political geography of the Middle East. He did so by embarrassing Iran and its ‘axis of resistance’, simultaneously fortifying his domestic position. However, his internal coalition’s push for a ‘total victory’ in Gaza only serves to amplify the ongoing tension.
Notably, most of the world, and specifically the Muslim world, advocates for the Palestinians to be granted a just settlement. This resistance stands in stark contrast to Netanyahu’s coalition’s aggressive strategy towards Gaza, revealing a troubling lack of consensus across national and international lines.
Overall, Netanyahu remains a fiercely divisive figure in Israeli politics and beyond. While his supporters applaud his tough stance and his grasp on security matters, critics see him as a threat to democratic principles, accusing him of pushing policies that prioritize his political survival over Israel’s strategic interests.
As the longest-serving leader, Netanyahu has left an indelible imprint on both Israel and the wider Middle East. Whether that legacy is ultimately judged to have been beneficial or damaging to the region’s stability and prospects for peace will be a matter for history.
The post Benjamin Netanyahu: The Consequential Leader Shaping Modern Middle East appeared first on Real News Now.
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